So I’m going to start this one with a disclaimer. I know that people get passionate about their diets. When I say diet I don’t mean the act of counting calories/carbs/vegetables pick on a full moon. I mean just how people choose to eat. I get it. I talk about what works for me in this post. There is still some good stuff for people that do the one meal a day thing, and I’m not here to debate you all. I’m here telling you what works for me and what keeps my blood sugar level. You do you boo.
The Importance of Being Prepared:
Picture this: It’s a busy morning, and you rush out the door without lunch. By noon, you’re so hungry you could eat a mammoth. Your stomach’s growling, and your brain’s thinking of all the delicious, less-than-healthy options nearby. Next thing you know, you’re in the drive-thru at Taco Bell, thinking, “This wasn’t part of the plan!” Skipping lunch isn’t just a missed meal—it’s an invitation to make less healthy choices and end up ravenous by dinner. So, let’s talk about how being prepared with meal-prepped soups can save the day!
First things first: Is this risotto? Absolutely not, but it’s a pretty good substitute! I think the big trick to loving these low carb subs is to take them on in their own right as a new dish. I’m always experimenting with new side dishes, and this one is a winner!
Hot damn I can finally eat brussel sprouts! Now on to the ten page story of my life with brussel sprouts and then we’ll get to the recipe.
Just kidding. The story is brussel sprouts are nasty and I have now finally found a way that I like them. Yay!
Ingredients:
14 oz Brussel Sprouts 1/2 tsp Salt 1/2 tsp garlic and pepper spice blend (found in most grocery stores, or you can use garlic powder and pepper) 1 tsp olive oil 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
Method of Preparation:
Cut brussel sprouts in half, removing the stem if present. Place in a bowl of warm water for 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry the brussel sprouts.
Pre heat your air fryer to 400. It usually only take a couple of minutes, but I like my basket smoking hot when I put my sprouts in.
Place dried sprouts either into a bowl or a zip top bag. I prefer using the ziplock bags – it just seems like you can mix everything up better with them. add salt, garlic and pepper, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Stir well, or shake shake shake it up in your zip top bag.
If you want to go to a fast food place and get a sandwich, it’s going to cost you. Most chicken sandwiches are between 11-20 some odd points! That’s crazy!
I’ve made a version that seems just as decadent but comes in at 7 green points. I’m not sure if the chicken would still totally count for blue, but those of you on blue know!
So I found these Tyson air fried chicken breasts:
4 smartpoints
These are only 4 points! I also cook them in the air fryer – 7 minutes each side, and I throw the bun in for the last minute to toast it as well. If you don’t have an air fryer the package has directions for the oven. I don’t know if they’ll be as crispy as they get with the air fryer, but I’m sure they’ll still be good!
Speaking of the bun:
This bun is only 2 points and is really decent! Of course there are better buns out there, but this one is a great sub and very point friendly!
I put light mayo on mine to which can range from 1 to 2 points, depending on how generous I want to be. Usually I go with one serving for one point, and a tab bit of mustard which is free.
So there you go! I end up with a delicious 7 point sandwich that according to my opinion is just as good as those huge point options from the fast food restaurants!
Like my blog? My first and second novels have been released! It’s set in a small, holiday obsessed town, and if you love Hallmark movies you’ll love this book series!
The first book in the series is called Going Home. Becca, our heroine, returns home after a 25 year absence to reclaim a sentimental family heirloom. She hopes to go in and out unnoticed, especially by the man she’s loved since she was eight years old.
The odds are stacked against Becca, small towns being what they are. Her 25 year old secret is about to be exposed, and she just might get a second chance at love.
Confession time. I hate zucchini noodles, or zoodles as they are called sometimes. People raved about them replacing pasta and every time I tried to make them it was a slimy disappointment. Then I learned the secret to zoodles. Never, ever, under any circumstances do you cook them. You make the sauce and then cover the cold, raw zoodles in it, warming them with the heat from your sauce.
Have you ever tasted a hug? I have! This Beef Barley Soup is as comforting as one. Warm, rich and delicious it hits just the right spot as we head into colder temperatures. It doesn’t get any easier than this recipe!
I have directions for both the stBeegove top and instant pot/ninja foodi.
Ingredients:
2 tsp vegetable oil 1 1/2 pound top round steak (cut into one inch cubes, sprinkled with salt) 1 1/2 cups diced carrots 1 cup diced celery 7 cups beef broth (I prefer Better than Bullion) 1/4 cup minced garlic 1/2 cup minced onion 1/4 tsp ground thyme 1/4 tsp black ground pepper 3/4 cup quick cooking barley (not cooked)
Method of Preparation:
Turn pressure cooker to sauté mode on high, and add oil (stovetop heat your oil in your large soup pan). Once sizzling add the cut up steak, stirring frequently to brown all sides. You want to cook until most juices have evaporated, but a little left is ok, just make sure it is browned well.
Add carrots and celery and all seasonings. Give it a quick stir and add your broth and barley. Turn sauté mode off and attach lid. Set to high and pressure cook for 8 minutes. Once finished release pressure after sitting for 6 minutes.
On the stovetop bring to a boil then cover and cook on low for 20-25 minutes or until barley is done.
As always check the temp of your meat with both techniques to make sure it’s at a safe temperature.
Like my blog? My first and second novels have been released! It’s set in a small, holiday obsessed town, and if you love Hallmark movies you’ll love this book series!
The first book in the series is called Going Home. Becca, our heroine, returns home after a 25 year absence to reclaim a sentimental family heirloom. She hopes to go in and out unnoticed, especially by the man she’s loved since she was eight years old.
The odds are stacked against Becca, small towns being what they are. Her 25 year old secret is about to be exposed, and she just might get a second chance at love.
This is my spicy version of Jambalaya! Delicious and filling, it is one of my favorite new recipes!
If divided into 4 servings it is 7 WW Points. It is about a cup and a half per serving. You can make it into 5 one cup servings for 5 WW Points. It is very filling and the one cup version is a perfect lunch.
This recipe is super fast, super easy, and super delicious! It is so incredibly filing and just has that comfort food vibe without all those extra calories!
If you follow the WW Smartpoint plan it comes in at a whopping 2 points for 7 dumplings. Everything else in the recipe is zero Smartpoints!
I’ve been playing around with this recipe for awhile now, and I finally got it. I wanted to lower the Smarpoints without compromising the taste, and I think this turned out delicious. The steak is 4 Smartpoints and depending how much mushroom sauce you use it can be 0 Smartpoints. I’ve added a point for it for all the strict strict people out there (like me).
This recipe doubles well, and also freezes well. I doubled it and formed 8 patties. I took 4 of them and wrapped them in parchment paper and placed them in a ziptop freezer bag. They are all ready for when I am running late and don’t know what to cook.
If you are using the Instant Pot to make this you can also make a starch using the Pot – in – Pot method.
My 30 Point Life 