Food Find: Enlighten Me

So I’ve heard about these broad beans in my meeting for awhile now.

Why haven’t I tried them?

Weeellll I’ll admit I don’t always trust the opinions of my fellow Weight Watchers. There seems to be a Smartpoint-to-amount-of-food ratio that comes into play, meaning that if it is low in Smartpoints some Weight Watchers think it’s delicious.

Or maybe I’m just a food snob, which is probably very true.

Take for instance that nastiness that is Arctic Zone Ice Cream. At one of my meetings this lady was going on and on about how great it was and you could have the whole pint of ice cream for like 8 Smartpoints of something.

That should have been my first clue. I took one bite of the flavorless frozen water and threw it away.

So I’m a bit skeptical when it comes to recommendations, more so when they are low in points.

I mean I don’t like Halo Top but I don’t say that out loud because I’m afraid they’ll kick my butt in the Weight Watcher parking lot.

When I saw these broad bean things at Costco I decided to take a leap of faith and get them. People go on and on about them at my meeting, and they were all happy as hell that they were back in stock last week.

They are good. Like really good. And only 2 Smartpoints!

They are gluten free and packed with protein and fiber. These would be delicious on a salad. I wish I would have got them earlier!

Sep 27

A 36 Point Day – Yum!

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This was a good food day 🙂 I was satisfied without feeling hungry or stuffed. Winning!

Breakfast: 6 Smartpoints

PB & J Overnight Oats – Yes, I know you see this constantly, but I LOVE it. At the beginning of this whole weight loss adventure I would feel deprived because I couldn’t just eat chocolate. Now I feel deprived if I don’t have my blueberries and Greek Yogurt. Who’da thunk it?

1 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt
1/4 cup old fashioned oats
2 tablespoons PB Fit
1/2 cup frozen blueberries

Sweetener of choice (I use stevia)

At least 2 hours before eating ( the night before even better) mix yogurt, PB Fit, Oats and sweetener in a container and refrigerate. Add frozen blueberries 10 minutes before you eat. Enjoy!

Sep 24

Mom’s Veggie Soup

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So this is a soup I grew up eating. I’ve modified it slightly to make it more Smartpoint friendly, but it is easy, fast, and delicious!

I knew my Mom had a bad day when we had this because it was so easy to make. In fact, I was probably the one making it after about 1st grade. I’ve always cooked with my Mom, and this was the recipe that didn’t need much supervision, so when the bottle of wine came out and my Mom announced we were having this for dinner, I knew she had a hell of a day.

You can get 14 cups out of this recipe. You can add more broth if you like it more juicy, or if you replace the bulgar with barley you will automatically get more broth.

It is 3 Smartpoints a cup or 5 Smartpoints for 2 cups.

Sep 17

A 30 Point Day – Off the Rails

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As I continue to work on figuring out this whole maintaining thing, I’ve come to realize that this is never going to end.

I mean I know I tell myself and you all that all the time, but it’s when a bad day hits and you have to make that decision that it’s really, seriously, no doubt for life that this reality really smacks you in the face.

Yes Virginia, I have bad days. I know a lot of peeps who see someone who got to their goal as someone that must do everything perfectly. They must always stay in their Smartpoint range or whatever their current plan is, they always work out, and of course are always eating healthy food.

I’m here to tell you plain and simple – that’s bullshit. We are human. We are going to mess up.

It’s how you handle those not so good days that will determine if you will be successful. Do you say screw it, I was bad yesterday so I might as well be bad tomorrow? Do you beat yourself up over and over for being weak?

Or do you realize it, own it, and try your best to change it?

Sep 16

Food Finds – Costco

Easy Chili

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So I made this in my Instant Pot. I was nervous about making it in my Instant Pot because my Mom always cooked it for hours on the stove or in the slow cooker to get those awesome flavors.

Yes, I am a “Pothead” (what they call us in the Instant Pot cult lol) through and through, but this is one I’ve never tried. Until now, and it is delicious! I’m so thankful to the Instant Pot Community on Facebook because they post such awesome stuff and give me courage to try things like this!

You all unfortunate people that don’t use an Instant Pot can do this one too, it’ll just take 6 to 8 hours longer 🙂 I’ve definitely modified it to be more Weight Watcher friendly, and it makes about 12 cups and is 4 Smartpoints a cup. Not bad!

I’ve written this recipe a little different because all the ingredients can make it seem overwhelming. It’s not, I promise! My Mom was always adamant about following the steps on this one, and like most Moms she was always right!

Oh and the little hot dog fingers were put in for my little nephew – points not counted for those 🙂 I have Halloween on the brain! I also made this with children in mind, so if you like your chili spicy double your cumin and add a tablespoon of crushed red pepper 🙂

Sep 08

Pork Roast Marinated with Maple and Coffee

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This is a recipe I used to make all the time but it used molasses. You don’t even want to know how many points are in molasses, it’s truly frightening. So I switched it up with some sugar free maple syrup, said a hail Mary, and it actually worked! It’s delicious!

The roast is 4 Smartpoints for 3 ounces.

Sep 05

A 30 Point Day + 6

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So I lost weight last week, but I didn’t use all my weekly points so I’m going to stay with the 36 Smartpoint target and eat all my weekly points and see what happens. It is hard to find that sweet spot where you don’t gain or lose, but I’ll find it!

Breakfast: 11 Smartpoints

Please don’t fall out of your chairs in shock. You peeps that read my blog a lot know how I loves me some overnight oats for breakfast and eat it almost every day. When I get that rare day off I like to do up breakfast, and I had Kodiak pancakes with sugar free syrup, a fried egg, and turkey sausage links.

It was delicious and worth every. single. point.

I also had a Premier Protein in my coffee for 2 Smartpoints.

Aug 26

Chicken Lemon Rice Soup

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So who doesn’t love Chicken Lemon Rice Soup? It’s comforting and delicious. Most people don’t have this unless they are at a restaurant, but that would change if they realized how easy it is to make at home!

It is even easier if you have an Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker! I use the 6 Quart Instant Pot religiously. I seriously do not think I would have been half as successful with my weight loss without it!

This soup is so good. I took some to work (with extra for the coming days) and after smelling it everyone in my office had ate it up. I guess I need to get to planning more lunches for the week!

Before I go into the recipe I want to show you what type of bulgar I use:

It is important to get the larger grain Bulgar. I’m sure it would work with the smaller kernels, but I haven’t tried it and don’t know what kind of mouth feel you will get with it. I talk about my love affair with Bulgar here: Smart Swap – A Love Letter to Bulgar Wheat

It doesn’t matter the brand, just try and get the largest kernel you can. You usually find this in the International Isle at your grocery store, or you can buy in bulk at Whole Foods and stores like that.

Ingredients:

1 Cup Uncooked Bulgar Wheat
6 Cups Chicken Stock (I use Wildtree Chicken Bouillon)
2 Lemons
2 Eggs

Chicken: Marinate these ingredients in refrigerator for at least a half hour.

1 Pound Chicken (Two small breast, not one big honking one for cook time)
1 Tablespoon Wildtree California Style Garlic and Pepper Blend (Or 2 Tsp Garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon black pepper)
2 Teaspoons Wildtree Garlic Infused Grapeseed Oil (or your favorite oil)

Aug 23

My 30 Point Life

Just Keep on Keepin' On

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