Meatless Shepherd's Pie for 3 Weight Watchers Smart Points!

Shepherd's pie is one of my favorite things, right up there with Biscuits and Gravy and plain old mashed potatoes with corn mixed together, so I am particularly happy to share this recipe with those who love a Shepherd's pie!

It's only 3 WeightWatchers Smart Points per serving and a serving size is 1/6 of the pie!!  The great news is that this freezes well and leftovers taste better the following day!

Lentils are high in protein and fiber!

Ingredients:

1 Tbs olive oil
1 (8-oz) package pre-sliced cremini mushrooms
2 (9-oz) packages steamed lentils*
1-1/2 c. frozen peas and carrots, thawed
1-1/2 c. low-sodium organic vegetable broth
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 (20-oz) package frozen mashed cauliflower w/olive oil & sea salt
chopped fresh chives or parsley (optional)

*If like me you are unable to find steamed lentils, just cook up your own following package directions. You will only need about 8 oz or half of a package of a 16-oz bag of dried lentils.

Instructions:

1. 1.  Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over med-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook stirring occasionally until browned and tender, about 8 minutes. And preheat the oven broiler!
2. Stir in lentils and peas and carrots and cook until thoroughly heated, about 2 minutes. 
3. Stir in broth, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cook until the liquid is slightly reduced and thickened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to an 11- x 7-inch (2-quart) broiler-safe baking dish. 
4. Microwave the mashed cauliflower according to package directions and spoon over the top of the mushroom-lentil mixture.  
5. Place in oven to broil with rack about 6" from heat source until lightly browned, about 5-8 minutes. Sprinkled with optional chives or parsley and serve!

YIELDS: 6 Servings
SERVING SIZE:  1/6 pie
SMARTPOINTS: 3 per serving

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:  Calories 217, Fat 6.5g (sat 1.5g, mono 3.5g, poly 1.3g), Protein 12g, Carb 29g, Fiber 10g, Sugars 9g, Chol 4 mg, Iron 4 mg, Sodium 730 mg, Calc 90 mg

Spicy Shrimp Noodle Bowl for 6 SmartPoints/Serving

This colorful bowl is delicious and not too spicy!  It is only 6 Weight Watchers Smart Points per serving too and just too easy to make!  Packaging it up per serving size is a fast grab option for lunch as well! 

I could not find banh pho wide rice stick noodles as the recipe as written listed, so I went with another rice noodle.  I hope you have better luck than I did there!  I also used precooked medium shrimp since I had some in the freezer and put it into the pot at a point that made sense so as to not overcook!

As you can tell, I am a woman of few words...well, online for sharing recipes that is.  People IRL would probably like to shut me up.  When it comes to sharing recipes online, I don't like to wade through all the stories that people share, although cute, I just want the recipe, so hear ya go!

Ingredients:

8 oz uncooked wide rice stick noodles (banh pho)
4 c unsalted chicken stock
3 Tbs sambal oelek (ground fresh chile paste)
2 c shredded napa cabbage
1 lb. peeled and deveined raw medium shrimp
1 c fresh snow peas, cut into 1" pieces
3/4 c matchstick carrots
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves
3/8 tsp kosher salt
3 scallions, thinly sliced

Directions:

Cook the noodles according to the package directions and drain them.

While noodles are cooking stir together the chicken stock and sambal oelek in a 3-quart saucepan.  Bring to a boil over high heat.

Add the uncooked shrimp and cook for 3 minutes.  Then add the cabbage, snow peas, and carrots and cook just until the shrimp are cooked through, about 2 minutes. (Add precooked shrimp at same time here).  You want the veggies to remain slightly crisp so don't overcook them!

Stir in the noodles, cilantro, salt, and scallions.  Serve!

YIELDS: 4 Servings
SERVING SIZE:  1-1/2 cups

Nutritional Information:   Calories 290, Fat 2 g (sat 0.2 g, mono 0.4 g, poly 0.5 g), Protein 26 g, Carb 39 g, Fiber 5 g, Sugars 5 g, Chol 179 mg, Iron 1 mg, Sodium 7880 mg, Calc 120 mg

Lemon-Raspberry Ice Squares - 5.5 Weight Watchers Smart Points or 3 Winning Points

This dessert was a find by me for using up raspberries many years ago.  It can be lightened up further, as the points depend greatly on the sugar cookies, butter, and yogurt used.  I tend to use real ingredients.  Vegan yogurt might be a good option to try with light butter and fat-free yogurt for fewer points.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find some lower-calorie vanilla sugar cookies and there were a lot of points involved in the ones I chose, but I also only used about 7 of them compared to the 18 called for in the recipe.  

The image above is a slice of the entire recipe cut into 9 portions and it's sitting on a salad-sized plate, so it's a good size.  Cutting the entire batch in 18 portions would halve the points. The whipped cream topping is not included in the points for this recipe, as that depends on your choice for whipped topping. 

The lemon and raspberry go so well together.  Just make sure you let it sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes to soften a tad because "Ice" squares are pretty hard to get through with forks and spoons otherwise.

Ingredients:

1 c. (about 18) crushed lemon-flavored sugar cookies
1/4 c. sugar
3 Tbs. butter
1 c. raspberry-flavored yogurt
1 c. low-fat buttermilk
1/3 c. sugar
2 c. frozen or fresh raspberries
sweetened whipped cream

Instructions:

In small bowl, stir together crushed cookies, 1/4 cup sugar and butter.  Press on bottom of 9" square baking pan and set aside.

In medium bowl, stir together remaining ingredients except raspberries and whipped cream.  Fold in raspberries. Pour yogurt mixture over cookie crust.  Cover and freeze until firm, about 3 to 4 hours.

To serve, let stand at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes.  Cut into 18 squares (or 9) and garnish with whipped cream.

You can also change up the flavor for this recipe.  Use blueberry-flavored yogurt and blueberries or strawberry-flavored yogurt with strawberries.  Heck, switch it all up and make it a combo deal, just remember the lemon flavor in the "crust" and choose complimentary flavors.

YIELDS:  18 servings
SERVING SIZE: 1/18
POINTS:  5.5 Smart Points or 3 Winning Points

YIELDS:  9 servings
SERVING SIZE: 1/9th
POINTS:  11 Smart Points or 6 Winning Points

Hearty Cheese, Turkey & Zucchini Supper Sandwiches for 10 Weight Watchers Smart Points and 6 Winning Points

Once again, my camera settings have changed and the coloring in the pics is slightly off, but that's life with my 11-year-old.

These open-faced turkey sandwiches are packed full of flavor because of the homemade chese sauce and the basil the zucchini cooked in.  I was a little hesitant about trying this one, but I am so glad we did.  So was Mr F.  He loved it.  One child ate it and liked it, one outright refused to even try it, and the other wasn't home, so no family rating on this one.

Because it's higher in points, go for low-point sides to accompany it.  A half of an English muffin would be half the points listed here and would make a nice lunch as well.

Because most of the butter that the zucchini is cooked in remains in the pan upon completion, I've taken the liberty of removing some of the points assigned to it in the recipe while allowing for some extra calories/points for the bit of butter on the zucchini.

You can probably lighten it up further by using light butter and low-fat cheese, but I already did this recipe using 1% milk and used whole-wheat English muffins.  Also...I didn't use all of the cheese sauce.  I just eyeballed it and estimate each received around 2 tablespoons of cheese sauce.


Ingredients:

Cheese Sauce Ingredients:

2 Tbs butter
1 Tbs. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. milk
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tbs. chopped fresh chives

Sandwich Ingredients:

2 Tbs. butter
1 medium zucchini, sliced 1/4"
1 tsp. basil leaves
4 English muffins, split, toasted
8 (1-oz.) slices of cooked turkey


Instructions:

In a 2-qt. saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and stir in flour, salt, mustard, and pepper.  Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and bubbly (1 min).  Add milk.  Continue cooking over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and comes to a full boil (4 to 5 mins).  Boil 1 minute.  Remove from heat.  Stir in cheese and chives until cheese is melted. Keep warm.

In 10" skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter and stir in zucchini and basil.  Cook over medium heat stirring occasionally until crisply tender (3 to 5 mins).  Place toasted English muffin halves on serving plate and top each half with 1 slice turkey, 1/8 zucchini mixture, and cheese sauce.

YIELDS:  4 servings
SERVING SIZE:  2 halves
POINTS:  10 Smart Points or 6 Winning Points

Springtime Ham and Asparagus Salad for Only 2 Weight Watchers Points

arranged to visually see each serving size via sections between asparagus spears

This salad is so low in points and light and refreshing that you can double up your servings for more of a meal salad.  It serves 6, so a single portion is more of a side salad and not as filling alone.

The homemade dressing has a strong lemon flavor, so if you're not a fan of lemon, try cutting the amount in the recipe back a bit.  I also added garlic powder to this batch but plan on trying it next time with actual minced garlic added to the dressing.

I also only applied one tablespoon of dressing per serving of salad with leftover dressing at the end, which means this actually fewer in point than I figured for the entire dressing recipe to begin with.

Single serving in large salad bowl

Salad Ingredients:

16 asparagus spears
4 c. torn lettuce
2 c. cubed 1/2" cooked ham
2 hard cooked eggs, quartered (I chose to slice them instead going for even eggs per serving)

Dressing Ingredients:

1/2 c. fat-free dairy sour cream
2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
1 Tbs. chopped fresh chives
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 Tbs. low-fat mayonnaise


Instructions: 

In 10" skillet, place asparagus, add enough water to cover.  Cook over medium-high heat until water comes to a full boil.  Boil 1 to 2 minutes and drain.  Rinse immediately with cold water until fully cooled.  This stops the cooking process.  Don't overcook your asparagus. You want them crisply tender, not mushy.

Arrange ham, eggs, and asparagus spears on lettuce on either individual salad plates or platter.   

In small bowl, stir together all dressing ingredients.  Pour dressing over salad if all will be eaten upon serving.  If wanting to save your salad in the event you'll have leftovers, apply dressing to individual servings and store dressing in an airtight container.

YIELDS:  6 servings
SERVING SIZE:  1/6 of platter
POINTS:  2 WWWP or 2 SmartPoints

Spinach-Stuffed Steaks - 7 Weight Watchers Points and 9 Smart Points

These spinach-stuffed steaks turned out delicious.  The recipe calls for strip, T-bone, or Porterhouse steaks with bones in, but all I had were some boneless NY strip steaks cut about 1" thick.  This was so filling that I only ate half of a steak.  The recipe calls for 1.5 pounds total of steak, which this worked out to be as well.  Since cutting all four in half would be 8 servings, I got to halve the points as well.  I also served this with the garden-stuffed mushrooms recipe found here.

Individually, the components of this recipe are just kind of, well, meh, but when put altogether...just yummmm. 

Ingredients:

(2) 3/4-lb. steaks (strip, porterhouse, T-bone) with bones in (mine were boneless)
6 slices bacon, cut into 1/2" pieces
2 Tbs. butter

Stuffing Ingredients:

10-oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed, drained
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. minced fresh garlic

Sauce Ingredients:

1 Tbs. all-purpose flour
1 c. water
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. tomato paste
1/2 tsp. minced fresh garlic


Instructions: 

In small bowl, stir together all stuffing ingredients and set aside.

To prepare steaks, trim excess fat.  Split each steak from outer edges toward bone making a pocket.  Divide spinach mixture and fill each pocket.

In 10" skillet cook bacon and butter over medium-high heat until browned (5 mins).  Place steaks in same skillet and cook over medium heat, turning once, until desired doneness (7 to 9 mins for medium steaks).  Place meat on platter and keep warm while preparing sauce.

Pour off fat leaving bacon and brown particles in pan.  Reduce heat to medium and stir in flour.  Cook, stirring occasionally until mixture is smooth and bubbly (1 min.)  Stir in remaining sauce ingredients.  Continue cooking, stirring occasionally until thickened (4 to5 mins).  Serve over steaks.

YIELDS:  4 servings
SERVING SIZE: 6 oz of steak without filling
POINTS:  6.5 WWWP or 8.75 Smart Points (9 if rounding up)

Chicken Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Sausage Breakfast Braid for 6 Points

Oh my gosh! This is a huge Family Favorite and it's only 3 Weight Watchers points per slice!  I've even made this just before going to bed and it heats up in the microwave just Fine the following morning because who likes to use an oven in the morning? Not me.

I'll take more photos of this one in the process of prepping in case anyone needs it the next time I make it.

I use a roll of sausage and double up the fixings for the sausage mixture portion so that I can then divide it up for different braids on different days. I just withhold the addition of the egg until after I divide the sausage mixture, rather than cooking up 4-oz portions of sausage. I have yet to find a version of the sausage with jalapeno peppers premixed into it so I just add my own jalapeno peppers to the pan as it is cooking.

Ingredients:

1 13.8-oz. can refrigerated pizza crust dough
Cooking Spray
1 Tbs olive oil
1/4 c chopped onion
4 oz chicken sausage with jalapeno peppers, chopped
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 c (2 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
1 large egg white, lightly beaten


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Unroll the dough onto a baking sheet coated with cooking spray and pat into a 15 x 10-inch rectangle.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sausage and cook 9 minutes or until lightly browned.  Stir in eggs and cook 1-1/2 minutes or until set and remove from heat. (My version: Cook sausage, chopped jalapeno, and onion until cooked through/slightly browned for whole sausage roll and then divide mixture up into servings for this recipe. Add sausage back to pan and then add eggs.)

Sprinkle Monterey Jack cheese lengthwise down center of dough leaving about a 2-1/2-inch border on each side.  Spoon egg/sausage mixture evenly over cheese and then top with cheddar over the egg mixture and top with jalapeno pepper.  (Since in my version I've added the jalapeno pepper into the sausage mixture myself, I do not add more jalapeno).

Make 2-inch-long diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart on both sides of dough to within 1/2 inch of the filling using a sharp knife or kitchen shears (I recommend the shears!). Arrange strips over filling.  Press ends under to seal.  Brush with egg white and bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.  Let stand 5 minutes .  Cut crosswise into 8 slices.

YIELD: 8 slices

Servings: 4 servings
Serving Size: 2 slices

Points: 3 points per slice

Nutritional Information:  Calories 246, Fat 15.6 g (sat 6.3 g, mono 6.6 g, poly 1.5 g); Protein 15.9 g; Carb 11 g; Fiber 0.2 g; Chol 147 mg; Iron 1.2 mg; Sodium 516 mg; Calc 173 mg

Pizza Quesadillas for 6 Weight Watchers Points

These thick and hearty quesadillas are quick and easy!  For those in the Family who turn up their noses at the sight of mushrooms and green peppers, I limited their servings to just the cheese and pepperoni with a side of dippable raw veggies.  As you know, I'm on the hunt for meal ideas that can help me be successful and keep me from making more than one meal--one for me and one for "the others".

Since each quesadilla is 6 points and is cut into thirds, it stands to reason that each "wedge" (upon cutting them into thirds) is worth 2 points, so if you want to up your intake to 8 or 10 points if allowance permits, go for it!

Ingredients:

1-1/2 c fresh presliced mushrooms
1/2 c prechopped green bell pepper
1/2 tsp dried basil
4 (8") 96% fat-free flour tortillas
1 c (4 oz.) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
20 slices turkey pepperoni (5 per quesadilla)
Pinches of garlic powder and/or onion powder
1 c pizza sauce such as Ragu Homestyle


Instructions:

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Coat the pan with cooking spray. Add mushrooms and bell pepper and cook for 4 minutes until tender stirring frequently. Stir in basil.

While cooking the peppers and mushrooms, coat one side of each of the four tortillas with nonstick spray and place the sprayed side down and dry side up on the counter/work surface.

When peppers and mushrooms are ready, divide this mixture up evenly among the four flour tortillas covering only one half of each tortilla.

Start your pizza sauce to warming in a small saucepan.

Top each vegetable-covered tortilla with 1/4-cup of mozzarella cheese and 5 slices of turkey pepperoni. Season each with pinches of garlic powder and/or onion powder to your personal taste.

Fold each tortilla in half and place two at a time into heated pan with the folded sides together creating a circle from your two now halves and brown each side.

YIELD: 4 servings
SERVING SIZE: 1 Quesadilla cut into thirds and 1/4 c sauce
POINTS: 6 points per quesadilla (and 2 points per wedge)

Nutritional Information:  Calories 283 (32% from fat); Fat 10 g (sat 3.9 g), Protein 16 g; Carb 33.2 g; Fib 4.6 g; Chol 26 mg; Iron 3.1 mg; Sodium 904 mg; Calcium 333 mg

Carrot-Apple-Ginger Smoothie for 3 Weight Watchers points or 6 Smart Points each

Please excuse this plastic tumbler's gnarly edges. ;)

This smoothie recipe can be quite refreshing. You can use 2 ice cubes for a cold drink style or add 4 for more of a thickened smoothie.

Ingredients:

1/4 c. 100% carrot juice, chilled
1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/4 c. organic fat-free vanilla yogurt
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger
1/2 frozen ripe banana
2-4 ice cubes

Instructions:  Place all  ingredients in a blender and voila!

Serves: 1
Points: 3 Points
SmartPoints: 6 (5.5 rounded up)

Nutritional Information:  Calories 138; Fat 0.1 g (sat 0 g, mono 0g, poly 0.1g); Protein 4.3 g; Carb 32.7 g; Fiber 2.3 g; Chol 2 mg; Iron 0.3 mg; Sodium 79 mg, Calcium 126 mg

Chocolate-Chocolate-Chip Avocado Cookies for 2 Points Each!

Seriously, if you need a chocolate Fix, this is a good one. Especially Fresh out of the oven with the ooey gooey chocolate and even warned in a microwave for a few seconds afterward.

Yes, it's dairy free and gluten free (if you use gluten-free flour, which I do), and even vegan too. It's so easy to make and the whole Family gobbles them up completely unaware they're made with avocado!

I've tried this recipe with different types of flour, regular all-purpose, whole wheat flour, gluten-free versions, and I've settled on Cup-4-Cup gluten-free as my favorite in this recipe.

I've also tried this recipe with different chocolate chips--milk chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet, etc. and I've settled on semi-sweet chips as my favorite, but feel free to pick your poison here.


INGREDIENTS:

parchment paper
1/2 cup mashed avocado
1/2 cup turbinado sugar (method to making sugar-big rough, crystal-like granules)
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 c gluten-free flour
100 grams of chocolate chips of your choice


INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line your cookie sheet with parchment paper.

While the oven is preheating give your avocado and turbinado sugar a good whirl in a food processor or blender.

Add vanilla and apple cider vinegar and give another quick whirl until blended well/incorporated.

Mix the cocoa powder, the flour, the baking soda, and the cinnamon in a separate bowl with a whisk and add half at a time to moist mixture and blend after each addition.

Mix in chocolate chips by hand.

Spoon about a tablespoon of cookie dough onto your parchment-lined cookie sheet and use the backside of your spoon to flatten and shape the cookies somewhat, as they don't expand and shape much on their own.  Try to make sure there are no thin spots on the outer edges as they will cook/burn quickly and affect the taste of your first bites.

Bake for 10 minutes.

Pumpkin Smoothie for 4 to 6 Weight Watchers Points

I modified this pumpkin smoothie into a pumpkin pie smoothie that has a hint of orange flavoring via the orange juice because it makes so much and the kiddos didn't really like it as written, so I'll include the original and how I modified it.  I added a dollop of whip cream on top for the kiddos too, but at 1 extra point, you may be able to do so on your own as well.

One servings of this smoothie gives you all the vitamin A you need for a day and almost half of your daily requirement of vitamin C!! BONUS! It also serves up 5 grams of protein!

The whole smoothie batch comes out to 24 points, so if you divide it up into 6 servings, each serving is 4 points.  Divide it up into 4 servings, and each serving is therefore 6 points.  Divide it into 2 and each serving is now 12 points.

Ingredients:

1 15-oz. can pumpkin, chilled
1 12-oz. can evaporated milk, chilled
1 cup orange juice, chilled
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 medium banana, cut into chunks (optional as written) (I added banana for body)
Ice cubes (optional, but I added for body)
Ground nutmeg or cinnamon (optional as written)  (I added 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp ground ginger)
Orange wedges (optional as written)


Directions:

Combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, orange juice, brown sugar, and, if desired, banana. Blend until smooth.

If desired, serve smoothies over ice cubes or blend them in and sprinkle each serving with ground nutmeg and garnish with orange wedges threaded onto a skewer.

Serves: 4 - 6
Points: 4 servings=6 points each, 6 servings=4 points each

Nutritional Information:  188 calories, 5 g total fat (3 g saturated), 17 mg cholesterol, 71 mg sodium, 34 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 5 g protein

Tex-Mex Calzones for 9 Weight Watchers Points

I made these calzones last night, and they were a hit.  Mr. F loved, loved, loved them so he had two.  I received the below book for Christmas (bought by myself for myself while holiday shopping).  As you can see, you can choose meals for the entire day from it, including snacks, and the whole day adds up to under 1500 calories total. 

This particular calzone recipe comes out to 416 calories, and the rest of the nutritional information can be found here, as can the recipe.  I won't type it all up here, as I'm trying to save time these days for better weight-loss success meaning less time spent online.

The black bean salad, also pictured, is included on this recipe link as well clocking in at only 85 calories per serving.

This meal, as pictured (both the calzone and black bean salad), comes out to 10 points for me.  Nutritional Information for the calzone is detailed below!

Nutritional Information: Calories 416, Fat 14.1 g (sat 6.1, mono 4.9 g, poly 1.6 g), Protein 25.7 g, Carb 46.2 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Cholesterol 44 mg, Iron 2.5 mg, Sodium 771 mg, Calcium 195 mg

BBQ Chicken Tostadas Weight Watcher Recipe for only 8 points!

I'm pretty sure I got this one out of an old Weight Watchers recipe book that I have in my personal Favorites Folder on a card now.  If you like Flavor...this is a good one for you.  I can seriously just eat the tomato-cilantro-red onion topping by itself.

This is a Family-Friendly meal when you leave off the toppings and serve up with only a thin bean layer, a BBQ chicken layer, and a Monterey Jack cheese layer for little ones. 

Picture sans sour cream and cilantro sprigs (just Forgot)

Today, I hadn't eaten anything all day, so I Figured it would be safe to have two of these for dinner. I only had enough left for two. Today also happened to be our Buffet-Pick-Yer-Poison Day that I talk about here.  Mr. F....what can I tell you about him, other than he can eat whatever the hell he wants and remains thin.  We pulled out the leftover beef taco leftovers, chicken taco leftovers (have both on the same night for a taco night), leftover beef stroganoff, the leftover lone-remaining spicy cod cake, and the supplies for making two of these BBQ chicken tostadas that were going to be for me.  That man ate a big chicken taco, the leftover beef stroganoff, and as I photographed this single tostada in the image above, he grabbed himself the other one! I couldn't even believe my eyes. It's just not fair I tell ya.Oh well, one is actually enough and two would have stuffed me.

Ingredients:

2 lbs. boneless/skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of all Fat and cut into bite size strips
1 cup prepared BBQ sauce
1 (4.5-oz) can chopped mild green chiles, drained
2 tomatoes, seeded and diced (I just dice)
1/2 small red onion, minced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 garlic clove, minced
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
8 (6") Fat-Free Flour tortillas
1 cup canned Fat-Free refried beans
8 scallions, Finely chopped
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup light sour cream

Instructions:

Combine the chicken, barbecue sauce, and chiles in a large nonstick skillet and bring to a Full boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until the chicken is tender and cooked through (about 25 minutes). Remove from heat.

Combine the tomatoes, onion, chopped cilantro, garlic, vinegar, oil, and salt in a medium bowl until blended. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray a large nonstick baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place the tortillas on the baking sheet. Spread each tortilla with the beans and top with the chicken mixture. Add scallions and cheese to the top.

Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly (about 15 minutes).

Top each tostada with the tomato mixture, sour cream, and cilantro sprigs.

Points: 8 per tostada
Servings: 7

Per Serving:  358 calories, 12 g total fat, 4 g saturated fat, 87 mg cholesterol, 864 mg sodium, 27 g total carbs, 4 g fiber, 33 g protein, and 195 mg calcium.

Poached Egg-Arugula Meal Salad for Only 6 Weight Watchers points!

I adore this meal salad. I can whip it up at any time of the day (and I just did)....breakfast, lunch, or dinner...take your pick. I can also prepare it with one egg for a single serving or double it up accordingly.


You can prepare your egg so that the yolk is runny in a number of ways, obviously, but I prefer to poach mine to save any points preventing pan-stick while saving the most yolk as possible.  The egg and egg yolk can be mixed into the greens to accent/blend with the olive-oil-vinegar dressing or be spread across the toast like I prefer to do to then cut up and have a little sumpin' sumpin' in every single bite.

Salad Ingredients:

1 poached egg for 2 points
1 slice of 1-point whole wheat toast for 1 point
1/2 Tbs. of whipped Land O Lakes sweet cream, salted butter for 1 point
1 ounce of baby arugula for zero points
1 ounce of shredded fresh Parmesan cheese for 3 points or 0.5 ounce for 1.5 points (optional)
salt
pepper

Dressing Ingredients:
equal parts white wine vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil

For one serving:

1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil for 4 points
1 Tbs. white wine vinegar for 0 points


Directions:

Toss 1 ounce of baby arugula with HALF of the dressing for 2 total points.  Place your buttered toast atop the arugula (now at 4 points) and the poached egg atop the toast (now at 6 points). Salt and pepper to taste. If points allow, you can add freshly grated Parmesan cheese accordingly.  If I were to add about 0.5 ounces, it would bring the total up to 7.5 points and a whole ounce up to 9 points.

If points allow, you can double up the eggs, butter and toast atop a 2-ounce, zero-point bed of baby arugula and use the whole single serving dressing batch above for a total of 12 points withOUT the cheese. Topping THIS with a whole ounce of freshly grated Parmesan cheese comes out to 15 points.

Bacon-Spinach Meal Salad with Apple Cider Vinegar-Honey Dressing Recipe

This salad is a winner. It is very Filling and satisfying as well.  This easy-to-make sweet-and-sour dressing makes a lot, so make sure to whisk it up to incorporate the honey well and store in a reusable container/dressing carafe.

Dressing Ingredients:

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. spicy brown mustard
1 tsp. lemon juice
salt to taste
pepper to taste

   Instructions: Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a reusable storage container/dressing carafe that you can shake thereafter before each use. Grand total of points for this dressing is 31 points.  There are about 11 tablespoons of dressing per batch of dressing. Each tablespoonful of 
dressing, therefore, comes out to about 3 points (rounded up).If you add more than 1 Tbsp. per serving, add 3 points on accordingly.

Salad Ingredients:

5-oz. container of organic baby spinach
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 hard-boiled egg, sliced or chopped
1/2 cup largely grated Parmesan cheese
7 slices of cooked and chopped bacon pieces

   Instructions:  Place all salad ingredients in a bowl and toss. Grand total for all ingredients in 
   points for this salad is 14 points.  Divided into 8 servings means each serving equals 1.75 points, so
  2 points per serving (rounded up).

Serves: Salad serves 8
Points: 3 points per tablespoon of dressing and 2 points per serving of salad for a total of 5 points

Grilled Cajun-Seasoned Chicken and Peppers on Quinoa Recipe-5 Weight Watcher Points Per Serving

I have made this recipe twice, and the second time tasted different than the first. I think the difference is in the brand of quinoa.  The first brand I just cooked up according to package directions.  The second batch I rinsed and scrubbed the quinoa first.  This second batch I was not as Fond of as the First, but it was still good, so don't give up on trying quinoa if you didn't like it your First time out. I also got a new grill that doesn't seem to want to grill my Foods like I am accustomed to....seems to be lacking in imparting an actual grilled Flavor.

I had an abundance of yellow bell peppers I bought on sale so used all yellow peppers in the photo above. The recipe actually calls for green and red bell peppers though.

How on earth can you beat 5 points for a dinner!?!? That definitely leaves room for dessert! I therefore have to share. You can always eat this as a light lunch as well.

Cajun Rub Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. no-salt-added Southwest chipotle seasoning
2 tsp. light brown sugar
2 tsp. thyme leaves
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
cayenne pepper to taste/preference

Grilling Ingredients:

4 (4-oz.) boneless-skinless chicken breasts
1 red bell pepper, halved and seeded
1 green bell pepper, halved and seeded
1 small red onion, thickly sliced
1 jalapeno pepper, halved and seeded
1 tsp. canola oil
1 cup quinoa, cooked according to package directions

Instructions:

Basically, to get this to come out at the same time, you need to have everything prepped First.  You'll preheat your grill, start your quinoa on high. When quinoa comes to a Full boil, you turn it down to cook for about 15 minutes on it's own, covered, like rice.  Start your chicken grilling first at this time.  Once you Flip your chicken to cook the other side, add your vegetables to the grill, as they cook in half the time of the chicken.  The quinoa will stay warm for a while, so you have a little wiggle room. 

Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray and preheat grill. Prepare the rub mixture as noted above and rub onto both sides of each chicken breast piece.

Grill chicken 7 to 8 minutes per side or until an instant thermometer registers 165 degrees F.

Brush bell pepper, onion, and jalapeno pieces with oil (wear gloves for jalapeno).

Start your quinoa, which takes around 15 minutes on the stove-top and start to grill the vegetables toward the end of the quinoa cooking time for 5 minutes per side or until crisp tender.

Remove vegetables from grill and coarsely chop on a cutting board. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Now plate the finished quinoa on a platter, place grilled chicken down the center, and place the chopped-grilled veggies along the sides.

Serves: 4
Points: 5 points per serving

Nutritional Info: 290 calories, 6 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 70 mg cholesterol, 70 mg sodium, 27 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 31 g protein. 

Mixed Berries and Maple Cream Dessert Recipe for 7 to 9 Weight Watchers Points

This Fruit-based dessert is a Family-Favorite in our household.  The points can vary as little or as much as you would like by the number of total servings you divide it into.  The original recipe indicates it serves Four, but since there are Five of us in our house, it serves Five.  The entire recipe came out to 36 points, so when divided into Four servings you get 9 points per serving, but when divided into Five servings, you get 7 points per serving. You can probably lessen the powdered sugar in the whipping cream and and leave out the nuts to trim it out a little Further as well.

Because it makes me Feel like I have come a long way in my domestic diva journey, I want to brag a little. The blueberries come from a Friend's Farm, and the maple syrup and raspberries from my own back yard. I Freeze the raspberries each Fall and use throughout the remainder of the year and make Freezer jam with them as well. This is my second year making homemade maple syrup from my own maple tree, and it is delicious! Toot toot! ;) 


Fruit Layer Ingredients:

1 (6 oz.) container fresh blackberries (about 1-1/2 cups) (I frequently used raspberries instead)
1-1/3 cups fresh blueberries
1-1/3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 Tbsp. sugar
1-1/2 tsp. grated orange peel

Maple Cream Layer Ingredients:

1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup or honey (I use maple syrup)
1 cup whipping cream
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, whole shelled pistachios, toasted sliced almonds (I use almonds)

Directions:

In a medium bowl combine all the berries, sugar, and orange peel and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

In a small bowl stir together sour cream and maple syrup and set aside.  In a mixing bowl using an electric mixer beat the whipping cream just until slightly thickened and add in the powdered sugar and continue mixing until stiff peaks form.  Then fold in the sour cream/maple syrup mixture.

In each dessert cup layer even amounts of the berry mixture, the maple cream, and if desired 1 Tbs. nuts. Come back in with the berry mixture, the nuts, and top off with some more cream. Serve immediately.

Servings: 4 or 5
Points: 9 for each of 4 servings or 7 for each of 5 servings

Per Serving: 375 calories, 23 g fat, 14 g saturated fat, 85 mg cholesterol, 50 mg sodium, 42 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, and 4 g protein.

My Favorite Crunch-Fix Snack for Only 2 Weight Watchers points!

I have tried three of the Snapea Crisps Flavors offered.  My Favorite would have to be the Wasabi-Ranch, but all three are delish.  You better make sure you are capable of putting the serving size into a snack bowl and avoid walking around with the bag because you'll eat the whole bag.  The good news is that even if you do eat the whole bag, at 3-1/2 servings total, approximately, per bag, you won't go over 6-7 points. lol

These really satisfy the Fiending for a crunch/snack moments! It's definitely a Fab Grab!

You'll have to excuse the photo.  I can't seem to keep them in the house long enough to get a photo of the package unopened. Somebody keeps beating me to it, right honey? (Mr. F I'm sure)

The other good news is that this brand/line of snacks touts the following Facts:

* baked     * less Fat & sodium     * more Fiber     * higher levels of protein & vitamin B

* gluten-Free     *lower glycemic index     AND

**** 100% LESS SNACKER'S REMORSE ****

How great is that? ;) Check out their website for yourself for other Flavors I have yet to try!

Chicken Salad-Arugula Pita Sandwich for only 4 Weight Watchers points

When I'm in a pinch, I think back to what was easy about the NutriSystem plan when I tried that, and the chicken salad pouches that I would add a little more chicken to was one of them. I just counted the extra chicken I added to it as a PowerFuel because it was otherwise a little runny for my taste. 

When I was doing NutriSystem, I would often look at the Food provided and ponder how I never ate the things that they themselves were providing me when I dieted, especially a sweet every single day. But chicken salad sandwiches? I could do that, so I am. I have never eaten sweets every single day, so I'm not doing that, and I'm Fine with that.

Yes, you can use chicken from rotisserie chickens, chicken breasts, roasted chickens, etc., for chicken salad sandwiches but when in a bind and needing to move quickly/short on time, canned chicken works well. I consider a bind the moments when my kids want something other than what I could or should consume myself, so they get their lunch, and I get a low-points-value lunch in a snap.

The canned chicken will tell you there are approximately 2-1/2 servings per can, but when weighing the drained meat alone, I come up with an average of around 2.75 ounces and therefore use the whole can in one single sandwich.

I use about an ounce of diced onion and 0.5 ounces of arugula.  Normally, I wouldn't weigh the arugula and just eyeball the amount I want to put in, but since I'm counting calories via MyFitnessPal, I Figured that all out for 0.5 ounces.  Arugula is 0 points on my Weight Watchers plans though, so eyeballing would be fine too. I just put it all into a container and mix it up like so.

Then I just fill up half of a wheat pita, and voila! Nice, big, Flavorful, and Filling lunch for only 4 Weight Watchers points. Heck, for 4 points, this can serve as a Filling snack as well!

Ingredients:

Half of a 7" wheat pita
5 oz. can of no-salt-added canned chicken breast
2 Tbsp. low-fat mayo
0.5 oz. baby arugula
1 oz. diced onion
salt and pepper to taste

Servings: 1
Points: 4

Nutritional Information (Approximate): 178 calories, 3 g total fat, 30 mg cholesterol, 484 mg sodium, 24.5 g total carb, 1.2 dietary fiber, <3 .3="" 12="" g="" i="" protein="" sugars="">

BBQ Chicken Pizza for Only 7 Weight Watchers Points

This pizza can be made for Fewer than 7 points as well, but I went with the maximum I could Fit onto one FlatOut Pizza Thin Crust Flatbread. I also had Rustic White, so I will be checking for a whole wheat or whole grain variety next shopping trip. It also only has approximately 44 mg of cholesterol.

It can be heated any number of ways.  You can follow the package directions on the back of the FlatOut package, or bake for a spell until the cheese slices melt and then broil, or exclusively broil.  I broiled my FlatOut pizza crust until lightly brown on both sides.  You have to watch it very closely. Once turned over, the middle will brown through quite quickly. I burned my first one.

A quick tip for the chicken breast is snagging some when you have a roasted chicken handy from the breast portion without skin.  I buy a roasted chicken each week from my local grocery store to have on hand for myself in a pinch. The kids like the meat in a chicken quesadilla too.

I then put on the BBQ sauce, followed by the chicken, red onion, sliced mushrooms, arugula and cheese slices and broil again, and again watch it very closely. I use a pizza cutter to cut it into 4 pieces, as it's much too large to eat as is.

Here are the ingredients with weights applied to reach 7 points:

1 FlatOut Thin Crust Pizza Flatbread Rustic White
2 Tbsp. Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce
3 oz. cooked chicken breast
1 to 1.5 oz. sliced mushrooms
1 oz. diced red onion
0.5 oz. arugula
3 slices Kraft Slim Cut Mozzarella cheese slices

That's it! It's quite satisfyingly Filling as well!

Servings: 1

Estimated Nutritional Information: Calories 350.5; Fat 9.5 g; Saturated Fat 4 g; Cholesterol 44 mg; Carbs 43.38 g; Fiber 3.63 g