Indulging

i didnt track at all friday and saturday.  do i regret it?  not at all!  i took a mental health day on friday so i was nice and rested for dinner at nessa in port chester.  wow!!  the food was incredible!!  i also had wonderful company so my night was fulfilling in many ways.  then, last night, i had dinner at my parents with my brother and sister-in-law.  my mother made a ravioli lasagna that was out of this world!  i had two unbelievably fantastic meals and i truly dont want to figure out the points for either of them.  i dont want to feel guilty about indulging at all.  friday & saturday were wonderful in many ways and im not disappointed with my decision to splurge.  but of course, today its back to tracking & counting points! :)

this weekend might effect the scale, but i accept the consequence of my actions.  we all deserve a day or two of indulging.  i truly believe that we need weekends like the one i just had every once and a while as long as you can easily put it behind you and get right back on track.  indulging actually helps me stay focused & positive about eating healthier because i know that i am not completely turning my back on the high point foods i love.  however, i fight indulging as a result of emotional cravings because those types of setbacks tend to lead to feelings of guilt.  once i start emotional eating, its harder for me to get over the guilt and there is a greater chance that i will continue to make bad choices for longer than a day or two.  this weekend's eating was not emotional.  it was surrounded by pure happiness and there is no room for guilt but i am very happy to back on track today!

onto some of my meals! :)  monday and thursday nights meals are definitely worth highlighting.

monday, may 2, 2011

Morning
Coffee (1/4 cup fat free half & half, 2 tsp organic turbinado raw cane sugar, 6 cups black coffee)	2
Honey Nut o's (1 large banana, 1/2 cup trader joe's organic vanilla soy milk, 1/2 cup cascadian farms organic honey nut o's cereal)	2
Subtotal	4
Midday
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Organic Light String Cheese	1
1  medium orange(s)	0
1  large pear(s)	0
1  small mango(es)	0
10  item(s) baby carrots	0
Subtotal	1
Evening
1  tray(s) Just for One Peas and Corn in a Basil Butter Sauce	2
1  Mexican Potato Casserole (see recipe below)	9
Subtotal	11
Anytime
1  bag(s) Healthy Pop® 100 cal butter mini bag	3
1  serving(s) Breyers Fat Free Creamy Vanilla	2
1  Chocolate Marshmallow Madness (see recipe in previous posts)	3
Subtotal	8
Food PointsPlus values total used	24

mexican potato casserole
2/3 cup betty crocker roasted garlic instant mashed potatoes
4oz trader joe's butcher shop ground beef 96/4
1/2 tbsp taco seasoning
1/2 cup trader joe's low fat vegetarian refried beans
1 tbsp trader joe's reduced fat mexican cheese

• preheat oven to 375 degrees
• spread prepared mashed potatoes across the bottom of a pyrex sprayed with trader joe's italian olive oil spray
• spray a frying pan with trader joe's italian olive oil spray (frying pan has been on medium-low heat for a few minutes) & cook the ground beef.  as it is cooking, break up the meat into small bits.  once the meat is cooked, add about 2-3 tbsp of water to the frying pan with taco seasonings.
• when the water has completely evaporated, add the refried beans to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes.
• spread meat/bean mix on top of mashed potatoes
• sprinkle cheese on top
• bake uncovered for about 25 minutes

i really love this meal!!  im planning on making something along these lines this week but using cream of mushroom soup.  it should be delicious!!

thursday, may 5, 2011

Morning
Coffee (1/4 cup fat free half & half, 2 tsp organic turbinado raw cane sugar, 6 cups black coffee)	2
Honey Nut o's (1 large banana, 1/2 cup trader joe's organic vanilla soy milk, 1/2 cup cascadian farms organic honey nut o's cereal)	2
Subtotal	4
Midday
1/2 serving(s) Trader Joe's Organic Nonfat Yogurt French Vanilla	2
1/2 cup(s) fresh blueberries (in yogurt)	0
1  medium orange(s)	0
1  large pear(s)	0
1  small mango(es)	0
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Organic Light String Cheese	1
10  item(s) baby carrots	0
Subtotal	3
Evening
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Butcher Shop Premium Angus Steak Tips (broiled)	5
1  cup(s) mixed greens (trader joe's organic romaine lettuce, trader joe's organic broccoli slaw, grape tomatoes, red onions, and cucumber)	0
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Low Fat Parmesan Ranch Dressing	1
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Soyaki (steak marinade)	1
1  serving(s) Margie's Mango Teriyaki (steak marinade)	0
1  serving(s) Betty Crocker Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes 80 cal	2
1/2 serving(s) Trader Joe's Center Cut Seasoned Uncured Bacon (in salad)	1
Subtotal	10
Anytime
4 1/2 cup(s) Healthy Pop® Kettle Corn, Popped	3
1  serving(s) Edy's Slow Churned Thin Mint Ice Cream	3
1  Chocolate Marshmallow Madness (see recipe in previous posts)	3
Subtotal	9
Food PointsPlus values total used	26

im addicted to broiling steak & pork and really enjoy experimenting with marinades.  this one was incredible!  ive used trader joe's soyaki and margie's mango teriyaki before, but forgot how much i love it! 

i hope everyone enjoyed the weekend with no guilt!! :)

Three Great Recipes!

last nights meal was fantastic!  making all three for one meal was far from my normal lazy cooking style, but it was worth it!  i will definitely make all three again......just not at the same time! :) 

saturday, april 30, 2011

Morning
Coffee (1/4 cup fat free half & half, 2 tsp organic turbinado raw cane sugar, 6 cups black coffee)	2
Honey Nut o's (1 large banana, 1/2 cup trader joe's organic vanilla soy milk, 1/2 cup cascadian farms organic honey nut o's cereal)	2
Subtotal	4
Midday
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Creamy Corn & Roasted Pepper Soup	3
Subtotal	3
Evening
Baked Macaroni & Cheese (see recipe below)	9
Honey Mustard Pork Chop (see recipe below)	6
Brussel Sprouts w/Bacon & Syrup (see recipe below)	1
Subtotal	16
Anytime
4 1/2 cup(s) Healthy Pop® Kettle Corn, Popped	3
1  serving(s) Edy's Slow Churned Thin Mint Ice Cream	3
1  Chocolate Marshmallow Madness (see recipe below)	3
Subtotal	9
Food PointsPlus values total used	32

baked macaroni & cheese
2 oz trader joes organic penne, about 2/3 cooked
1/4 tbsp canola oil
1/4 tbsp flour
1/2 cup skim plus
1/4 cup trader joes reduced fat mexican cheese

• preheat oven to 350 degrees
• heat oil in saucepan over medium heat.  add flour and cook, whisking constantly for 2 minutes.
• slowly whisk in milk until smooth.  increase heat to medium high and bring to boil.  boil for 1 minute.
• remove from heat and whisk in 3 tablespoons of cheese until cheese is melted.
• stir pasta into sauce.  pour into pyrex sprayed with trader joe's italian olive oil spray and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• bake for about 15-20 minutes.  let stand 5 minutes.

it was wonderful but could use a little more flavor.  i am going to look at baked macaroni & cheese recipes to see what other people do.  regardless, it was delicious!!


honey mustard pork chop 
1 tbsp mustard
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 trader joes butcher shop boneless center cut pork chop

• whisk mustard, honey, and vinegar
• pour over pork in a tupperware and cover (make sure both sides of pork are covered).
• chill for at least 4 hours shaking tupperware occasionally.
• broil pork chop for 20-25 minutes; at least 10 minutes each side. 

i had all the ingredients for the marinade but they were expiring within the month!  talk about perfect timing!  im more than happy to replace them though because i loved this recipe!  im going to use dijon mustard next time too.


brussels sprouts w/bacon & syrup
1 cup frozen brussel sprouts, defrosted and halved
1 slice trader joes center cut seasoned uncured bacon, cut into small pieces
1/2 medium shallot, cut into small pieces
1/8 tbsp trader joes evoo
2 tbsp spring tree sugar free low calorie syrup

• preheat oven to 425 degrees
• combine brussels sprouts, bacon, shallots, and oil in a bowl.
• spread mixture in a pyrex sprayed with trader joe's italian olive oil spray with cut side of brussels sprouts down.
• roast for 10 minutes.  add syrup and stir well.
• roast another 5 minutes or until brussels sprouts are tender.

there is not one thing i would change!  this recipe was superb!!!  


i got each recipe from the january/february 2011 issue of weight watchers magazine.  i made a few modification to each recipe, but nothing drastic.  i hope you enjoy them as much as i did! :)

here is the link to the chocolate marshmallow madness cupcakes.  i love these cupcakes!!!  i took a picture of them because they look as great as they taste!!
http://www.hungry-girl.com/show/chocolate-911-chocolate-marshmallow-madness-cupcakes-recipe

hope you enjoyed the weather this weekend!!  have a great week with no guilt!! :)