Mislabeled

I hate scales. Just going to say that.
Today was a weigh-in day. My nerves were getting to me as I went to bed last night. I really hoped my hard work was paying off. My diet has done a 180. I haven't been to a fast food place since the 1st of the year(except for McDonald's Salads) and have been making a lot of veggies and fruits.
I woke up this morning anxious to get on the scale.... only half a pound gone. Really? How is that possible?! I was doing Pilates and Yoga but could only do it twice last week. That is the only thing I could think of to make a difference. I know the scale doesn't reflect me work, and won't most weeks. I know I am gaining muscle, which does whigh more that fay.
The weird thing is... I feel great! People are noticing and making comments which makes my days brighten. I was pretty down this morning after that weigh-in. When I got to work, Michelle looked at me and said, "I can tell. You look fantastic." Instant smile. I am not going to lie... that is why I am doing it. The health benefits are great but let's not kid ourselves. I am a single girl in the last remaining months of my 20's. I want to look better. Bottom line.

Cheese Crisps

Cheese Crisps

courtesy of WWonline

Ingredients

1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese (shredded not crumbled)

1 tbsp all-purpose flour

Instructions

Preheat the over to 400 degrees. Spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick spray.

In a small bowl, combine the mozzarella, Parmesan, and flour. Drop the cheese mixture by tablespoons onto the baking sheets, at least 2 inches apart, making 16 crisps. Bake until the cheese is melted and golden, with darker brown edges, 5-7 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let the crisps cool for 1 minute. Carefully remove the crisps from the baking sheets with a thin metal spatula and place on paper towels to cool completely Serve at once, or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature.

WW Points Plus Value: 1

1 crisp per serving

These were so good! I have seen them made on cooking show before but never made them. They were so good they didn't last the night, thanks to my dad. Enjoy! I did! 

Caramelized Garlic Spread on Toasts

Caramelized Garlic Spread on Toasts

courtesy of WWonline

Ingredients

12 large garlic cloves, peeled

1/3 cup water

1 tbsp honey

1/4 tsp olive oil or butter

1/4 - 1/2 tsp cayenne

Pinch salt

Pinch freshley ground pepper

9 thin slices toasted French bread or water crackers

Instructions

Fill a small saucepan two-thirds full of water and bring to a boil. Add the garlic and boil 2 minutes. Drain.

In the same saucepan, combine the garlic with the 1/3 cup water, honey, and oil; bring to a simmer. Cook the mixture over medium low heat until the garlic is tender, 12 minutes. Add the cayenne, salt, and pepper; cook until the garlic turns deep golden, 2-3 minutes more.

In a mini food processor, pulse the garlic mixture until chunky and spreadable. Serve with toasts or crackers.

WW Points Plus Value: 3

Serves 9

Pico de Gallo Salsa

Pico de Gallo Salsa

courtesy of WWonline

Ingredients

1/2 tsp salt

1 garlic clove, minced

2 large ripe tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped

1 small onion, finely chopped

2-3 tbsp finely chopped cilantro

1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped (wear gloves to prevent irritation)

2 tsp fresh lime juice *

Instructions

On a cutting board, sprinkle the salt over the garlic. Mash to a paste with the flat side of a heavy knife.

In a small bowl, combine the mashed garlic, the tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapenos and lime juice. Refrigerate at least 1/2 hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend. Serving size is 1/3 cup.

WW Points Plus Value: 0

Makes 6 servings

*I used fresh lemon juice instead of lime since I am not a lime fan. It still tasted great! 

I used this to top a cheese quesadilla with whole wheat tortilla. So yummy!!! I am anxious to try it with eggs.

Italian Meatballs

Italian Meatballs

courtesy of WWonline

Ingredients

1 1/2 tsp regular butter

1 1/2 tsp olive oil

1 large uncooked onion, minced

1 pound uncooked lean ground beef

1 large egg, beaten

1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely minced (or 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning)

3/4 tsp table salt

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1/4 cup canned beef broth, or chick broth

1/4 cup white wine

Instructions

In a large skillet, melt butter and oil over medium heat. Add onions; cook, sitting occassionally, until they start to carmelize, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove onions to a large mixing bowl and add beef, egg, parsley (or Italian seasoning), salt and red pepper flakes; mix well to combine. With damp hands, roll forty-eight 1/2-inch meatballs.

Place same skillet over medium-low heat. Add meatballs, broth and wine; simmer until cooked through, gently turning meatballs once during cooking, about 20 minutes. Yields 4 meatballs per serving.

WW Points Plus Value: 2

Prep time: 12 minutes

Cook time: 32 minutes

Serves: 12

Roasted Herb Potato Wedges

Roasted Herb Potato Wedges

courtesy of WWonline

Ingredients

2 tbsp dijon mustard

1 tsp olive oil

1 tbsp rosemary, fresh, chopped

1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped

1 tbsp fresh parsley, fresh, chopped

1/2 tsp table salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 pound uncooked potatoes, cut into thick fries

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a nonstick baking sheet with cooking spray.

Combine all ingredients, except potatoes, in a mixing bowl; add potatoes and toss to coat (*). Place potatoes on prepared baking sheets and bake, turning occasionally, until all potatoes are tender but crisp, about 25- 30 minutes. Yields about 1/4 of potatoes per serving.

* I put everything in a gallon Ziploc bag to coat. It was much easier and didn't make a mess.

Notes: Change the flavor by using any fresh herbs you have on hand.

WW Points Plus Value: 3

Prep time: 12 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4

Sauteed String Beans with Almonds

Sauteed String Beans with Almonds

courtesy of WWonline

**This might be the favorite thing I have made so far!!!! Loved it!

Ingredients

1/2 cup slivered almonds

2 tsp olive oil (I used light olive oil)

3 cloves (medium) garlic cloves, minced

8 cups uncooked green snap beans, fresh, trimmed, or thawed if frozen

1/2 cup canned chicken broth (or vegetable broth)

1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste

1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste

Instructions

Place almonds in a large skillet and place pan over medium heat. Cook until nuts are golden brown, shaking pan frequently, about 2 to 4 minutes. Remove nuts from pan and set aside.

Heat oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add string beans and saute 1 minute. Add broth to the pan; cover and steam until string beans are crisp-tender, about 3-5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste; stir to coat. Remove from heat; stir in toasted almonds. Yields about 3/4 cup per serving.

Notes: For variety, substitute pine nuts for almonds. Toast them just as you would the almonds.

WW Points Plus Value: 2

Prep time: 8 minutes

Cook time: 11 minutes

Serves: 8

Crusted Honey Mustard Chicken

Crusted Honey Mustard Chicken

courtesy of Weight Watchers online

Ingredients

2/3 c lite honey mustard dressing *

1/8 tsp table salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

2 tsp dill

1 medium uncooked scallion, finely sliced

1 cup cornflake crumbs

1 pound uncooked boneless skinless chicken breasts (4 - 4oz pieces)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a shallow pan with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, combine honey mustard dressing, salt, pepper, dill and scallions. Remove 1/3 cup and set aside.

Place cornflake crumbs in a shallow bowl. Dip chicken into dressing mixture and then cornflake crumbs. Place in prepared pan. Bake until chicken is golden and no longer pink in center, about 15 -20 minutes.

Drizzle remaining dressing mixture (about 1/3 cup that was set aside) over chicken breasts and serve.

Yields 1 piece of chicken and about 1 1/3 tbsp of dressing per serving.

WW Points Plus Value: 7

Prep time: 12 minutes

Cook time: 15 -20 minutes

Serves 4

*I couldn't find honey mustard dressing so I took 5-6 tbsp Honey Mustard and mixed with 2-3 tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar. Basically til the mustard is thinned.

These were amazing! I served them with Sauteed Green Beans with Almonds and Roasted Herb Potato Wedges.

BBQ Chicken Pizzas

BBQ Chicken Pizzas

courtesy of Weight Watchers online

Ingredients
4 medium whole wheat tortillas
1 cup cooked skinless, boneless chicken breasts, shredded
1/2 c BBQ sauce ( I use Cookies BBQ sauce)
3 oz Gouda cheese, smoked or regular, shredded (about 3/4 cup)
1/2 small uncooked red onion, cut in thin slivers
1/2 cup cilantro, fresh, chopped

Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat 1 or 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
Place tortillas on prepared pans.
In a small bowl, toss chicken with barbecue sauce; divide among tortillas and sprinkle each with 3 tablespoons cheese and 2 tablespoons onions. Bake until cheese melts and bottoms of tortillas are lightly browned, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Remove from oven and sprinkle each pizza with 2 tablespoons cilantro. Slice each pizza into 4 wedges and serve. Tields 1 pizza (4 wedges) per serving.

**I used fat free mozzarella instead of Gouda cheese

WW Points Plus Value: 7

Prep time: 10 min
Cook Time: 7 min

New Year, New Challenges

****To start, I would like to say I haven't written anything in a long time so bear with me.

"The easier it is to do, the harder it is to change." Eng's Principle

2013 is my year. 

I have always had a love/hate relationship with food. I can't tell you how many times I looked to food as a comfort in struggling times. It was friend and enemy, all at the same time. My fight with food started early. I was an overweight child, teen, and young adult. I feel (no, I know) this is my time to change.

Coming off one of the worst years of my life, I feel like I have the strength to stand up for myself and make the necessary changes I need to in order to make this a success. Like millions of Americans, I set a New Year's resolution to lose weight. On January 1st, I joined the Weight Watchers 360 program. Truth be told, I actually signed up on December 29th but decided to enjoy the end of the year and start anew in 2013. 

Before I started even thinking about an exercise plan, I wanted to first make sure I started eating the right things. I have always been all about the easy things in life when it came to food. Drive-thru fast food was a food group to me. 

I started with simple changes. I have been eating a lot of chicken breasts and staying away from red meat. I shop mainly on the outside of the grocery store, sticking to fresh fruits and vegetables. I have found a new love in some veggies I never dreamed of eating. Who knew asparagus was so freaking yummy?! The Weight Watchers website has been amazing to just sit back and search recipes. I am going to share some of the recipes I have found as separate posts. I hope others use some of the recipes I have found and feel free to share some of your recipes with me.

I weigh in on Saturdays and I find myself oddly nervous on Friday nights. I couldn't wait to see what my hard work would amount to on the scale. In the first two weeks, I had lost 13.5 pounds. I had made this progress by just the change in my diet. I was in shock and overjoyed by the number in front of me. I know the scale won't always reflect my work like it does in the beginning but I needed this reinforcement to push on. I have a very aggressive main goal. I want to lose 50 pounds by my 30th birthday on April 29th. I have set 10 lb increment smaller goals but I want my focus to be on the finish line. 

Already, I can see a difference in my face (usually the first place I notice a weight loss). Having people notice as well feels great, I won't lie. I look forward to a new me... and sharing my journey with you all.