Greek Nachos and Football

Usually I have big plans for football Sunday. But since my Raven's are awesome and clinched our Division last weekend I can kind of relax and watch the game at home. No screaming at the TV, no worrying about all my superstitions, just good old football!

I was still really in the mood for some football party food. I looked through the Weight Watchers "Annual Recipes for Success 2011" and found a recipe for Greek Nachos. Really super easy. Just Stacy Pita Chips, Hummus, Lettuce, Red Onion, and Reduced Fat Feta cheese. They are also supposed to have olives on them, but I don't like olives so I left them off.

I just made one serving size. So I kept it to the normal serving size of everything (9 chips, 2 tbsp hummus, 1 tbsp cheese). Total of 7pp- kind of a lot, but a nice filling snack (I actually made it my lunch). 

Hope everyone's favorite team is doing well. 

GO RAVENS! 

I'm Back! ... and With a New Dinner Recipe!

Clearly my life has gotten too busy! I can't believe that I have not written a blog since December 4th! So much has happened between then and now I couldn't even begin to play catch up. So I will just say Merry Xmas (belated) and Happy New Year!

As most people do around this time of the year, we start to think about 'resolutions' or things we will do different in a new year with a clean slate. For me, I have decided to just think of something I want to do more of or learn to do better. Drum roll...........I want to learn to be a better cook and cook more often!

What better place to start than the Weight Watchers Cookbooks my good friend Amanda let me borrow over a year ago that have been collecting dust on my shelf. So this week I made a plan to make at least 1 recipe each day from the books or weight watchers online. Even if it is as simple as a new side dish.

The first night I decided to go big and make 3 recipes (I have always gone for extra credit :). I went for Crispy Baked Barbecue Chicken from the "Annual Recipes for Success Cookbook 2011", a variation on Pan-Roasted Tomatoes with Herbs from the "Best 5 Ingredient 15 Minute Weight Watchers Recipes" Cookbook, and finally my favorite Creamy Corn recipe from Weight Watchers Online. I'll note here if anyone wants any of these recipes you can email me and I will happily send them to you. I couldn't find copies of the cookbook recipes online and wasn't near my scanner today. :)

So back to cooking. I started with prepping the chicken. The chicken was soaked in BBQ sauce for 10 minutes and then dipped in a mixture of BBQ Baked Lays crunched up and minced dried onion.

I waited until I had the corn prepped and started cooking before putting the chicken in the oven since it takes a little longer to cook. The chicken only takes about 12 minutes plus an extra minute when you top it with cheddar cheese. 

The corn is sooooo good. I've made it before and each time I'm shocked by the fact it is so sweet and creamy tasting. I could probably eat the whole pan of it. Basically it consists of frozen white corn, scallions, fat free milk, a little bit of butter, and a tbsp of flour. 

It takes about 12 minutes to reduce down and thicken which was perfect for timing the chicken. I quickly sliced up and salted with Mrs. Dash Herb seasoning a tomato. I browned some garlic with olive oil in a pan. I added the tomatoes to the pan and flipped them once. Super easy!

Everything was pretty much wrapped up in 15 minutes! I did spill the cup of cheddar cheese on the floor when trying to top the chicken with it. But we won't talk about that little snafu. :) 

Onto my plate it went and very quickly into my stomach! 

It was really good. I took my Mom leftovers and she loved it as much as I did! Plus I had leftover chicken which I ate today with a Squash Casserole recipe I tried today (post coming soon on that).

Overall points- Chicken-8pp, Corn-4pp, Tomatoes-1pp. A big dinner for me, but surely worth it.

I really think I am going to have fun learning to cook this year and sharing about how it goes! Maybe sometime soon I can throw a real dinner party instead of just my appetizers and pre-bought stuff for big dinners. :)

The Power of Healthy Snacks & New Routines

I think everyone knows my love of the Weight Watchers program. Even though I have been struggling on a plateau for who knows why (I have been sticking to my points!), I still believe in the program and stick with it. So I was super excited that Weight Watchers announced a new 360 program. It came at just the right time for me. Now there is an area for your tracking, spaces, and routines! 

My favorite part so far has been the routines. It helps keep me in line. This week my three routines were eat breakfast every day, always have healthy snacks on hand, and get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. The best one for me is to have healthy snacks on hand. 

If you have ever been to my house you know we always have snacks, my roommate is a guy with an amazing metabolism. It's so unfair. Take last night for example. Here's what he came home with from Big Lots. 

Yes, that is a big size bag. Not a normal bag. And its FILLED with chips, and pretzels, and who knows what other types of snacks. So in my house its really important for me to always have healthy snacks on hand. On top of at home, at work its hard too! With the holidays there are always cookies and donuts and all types of treats at the office to have to avoid. 

Last night I stocked up on healthy snacks and brought a bunch to work today. 

A weight watchers string cheese (1 pt), 2 cups of low fat popcorn (no butter- 2pts), a clementine (0pts), and Ready Snax Veggies, Cheese and Ranch Dip (4pts). 

Hopefully this will get me through today! :) Plus, it was exciting to be able to check off that I completed my routines today! 

Salmon Mushroom Radiatore the Single Girl Way

First, Happy belated Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for I can't even begin to list it all out. I had a wonderful long weekend with friends and family. The holiday season has started off wonderfully for me.

Second, don't get excited by the first part of the title of this blog. It's not even close to being fancy, difficult, or that exciting. It's the single girls, dinner for one, fake cooking Salmon Mushroom Radiatore. Perhaps that would have been the better title. :)

Often friends who are also on Weight Watchers ask me what I cook for dinner. Seeing that it's only me and some of my friends are also cooking for just one or even just two, its sometimes hard to get an easy dinner that is points affordable. So I figured I'd share what I made tonight.

On Saturday I had a belated birthday lunch with my Aunt, Uncle, Mom, and Grandma at Houlihans. I like Houlihans a lot because they publish their nutrition facts. One of the things I like there is the salmon. However, its a large size salmon steak. So I make sure to only eat half. Tonight I wanted to make something with the other half and went searching in my pantry for something that would go good with the salmon. I came up with a box of Creamy Parmesan & Mushroom Radiatore from Archer Farms (aka Target).

This is really easy to make and super yummy. One thing I did was I used 1% Milk and I used only 3/4 of a stick of butter instead of a full stick. The pasta still comes out at 6 points for 1 cup. I try to tell myself that only getting to eat one cup is teaching me portion control and how to say no to seconds, because it would be super easy to eat the whole box of this. :) 

I put the leftover salmon in a pan with a little olive oil spray and heated it on medium until it was warmed. Then I threw everything together. Voila! Fancy Salmon Mushroom Radiatore in 12 minutes. 

I sprinkled a little tiny bit of parmesean cheese over it, but that was really just to make the picture look fancier and yummier. :) Also, in full disclosure, this is a close up. That is a 3oz peice of salmon and although it looks like its sitting on top of the pasta its actually not. I arranged the pasta around it. One cup of radiatore doesn't go a long way. 

But, it was absolutely delicious. Total of 10 points for dinner. Not too shabby if you ask me. Plus I have leftover pasta I can have at lunch with a salad tomorrow. 

Maybe later this week I'll actually put some serious effort into dinner and try a yummy Pinterest recipe. I'll be sure to share if I do. 

A New Yum, A Run, A Dazzle Dash, and a Win!

Whooo. I sure am exhausted! My weekend was jam packed and my Sunday was crazy crazy, but so much fun.

First, yesterday I discovered a breakfast treat that is low in points that I love. And an easy quick lunch that was both filling and delicious. For breakfast, I finally took Hungry Girl's advice and tried out the new Laughing Cow Cream Cheese wedges. I was in the mood for something seasonal, so I had a Thomas Pumpkin Spice Bagel Thin with the Laughing Cow Cinnamon Cream Cheese. Can you say DELICIOUS?! I can't believe I waited so long to try these two together! Plus, its only 4 points total, which is an awesome breakfast.

After my great breakfast, I headed out to meet my friend Keith for a run. We put in 4 miles and did a great job! We decided we would work on building our mileage week after week together. It really helps to have a running partner. I hope it keeps me motivated in the down time between my running groups GIRL and FIT (although I know some of us girls will run together in the off time). :) 

After my successful run, some errands, and laundry I realized I was starving again. Wanting to make something yummy again, I realized I had all of the fixings for chicken fajitas but didn't want to make a big portion. So instead I made a grilled chicken fajita wrap. :) I used Tyson Ready Grilled Chicken (that heats up in the oven or microwave), sauteed up some fajita veggies, added some fat free sour cream, lettuce, and low fat cheese, and VIOLA! A really filling lunch. Rounding out at around 10 points. 

I did a few more errands and some cleaning after lunch and then prepared for the Dazzle Dash with my cousins last night. A 1.4 mile walk through the Howard County Symphony of Lights. It was sooooo much fun. It was neat to walk through all the lights and really get in the holiday season. 

Finally, I ended my crazy Sunday on the couch in my purple pajamas watching the Ravens kick the Steelers butt on SNF. :) I'd say, a pretty perfect end to a pretty perfect Sunday. 

Friday Favorites #7

Happy Friday and Happy Birthday Weekend to me! I'm really looking forward to the weekend ahead spending time with friends and family. Here are my current favorites.

An early birthday present from Carlyn. Trail Heads headband to keep my ears warm during my 5k this weekend. It even has a spot for your ponytail, how convenient is that? And of course she got it for me in pink!

I am loving the new Pom Poms pomegranate cups. They have a spoon and everything. Perfect for a quick snack on the go. Plus they are 0 points!

I finally found a low-fat yogurt blue cheese dressing that I like. One of the things I feel like I can never give up is my love of blue cheese dressing. I am so glad I finally found one that I like and is low in points. 2 points for 2 tbsp. I'll take it! 

Finally, I love this To Do List. I think this is what I will keep in mind for my upcoming year 31. :) 

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. 

Birthday Week Excitement

I was absolutely determined not to celebrate my birthday this year. I had no problem turning 30 last year and celebrated in style with my cousins 'down the ocean hun' in Ocean City. This year, 31? Not so happy.

However, I have the best family and friends in the world who now have me all excited about my upcoming birthday.

First, my friend Sarah organized an awesome brunch for Saturday at Fork and Wrench in Baltimore which I have been dying to go to and try out. Then, last night I stopped by my Mom's and found this stack of presents waiting for me!

Of course beautifully wrapped in my favorite colors. Isn't that purple peacock wrapping paper awesome? After a few minutes of begging and offering to take the trash out, my Mom caved and let me open the little pink box early. 

Isn't it pretty? It is just costume jewelry but I love love love it. It looks like a topaz, which is my birthstone. I need to paint my nails so I can wear it to dinner on Friday with my family in Port Deposit (another birthday celebration I wasn't expecting). 

Finally, today my great friend Amy sent me an email asking me what I am doing for the Raven's game Sunday, why?...because she is taking me to the game for my birthday!!! Wooohooo!!! Could this week get any better?

So, I am officially excited for my 31st birthday on Sunday. If the outpouring of love and friendship I have already felt this week is any indication of what my 31st year will bring, it's going to be a great year. 

PS: Did I mention I am running the Metric Festival 5K on my birthday? One year ago on my birthday I wrote in my journal that I wanted to run a 5K in my next 30 years, well, this will be my 3rd 5K this year! :) 

Weight Watchers Blog - Points Sadness

I still maintain my blog on Weight Watchers. If you want to read about my Points Loss Sadness head on over and check it out!

You might have to put in Blog ID 1071987.

Halloween Party Wrap Up and Hurricane Sandy!

So we are currently in a hurricane! Work is closed and I am working at home, watching the news, and relaxing in my PJs. I figured it was a good time to write my Halloween Party Wrap Up Blog!

The party was on Saturday and so much fun! I am usually stressed for hours/days before, but this year I was pretty prepared. I didn't actually take too many photos so I just thought I would share a few. I wish I had gotten a picture of a corned beef dip that I made that was a HUGE hit. I guess I'll be making that for every football game/holiday party coming up in the next few months. 

A few of my decorations. I had the whole house decked out. But those are a few of my favorites. :) 

Treats, treats, treats! Check out my Graveyard Brownie Pizza and Creepy Pretzel Fingers! Both big hits! 

 

And a few pictures of me with my friend Carlyn, Cousin Barb, and friend LeeAnne! 

Next year I'll try to take more pictures for a more detailed post!

Emma's Parmesan Onion Roasted Potatoes

I love red potatoes. I don't know why I like them so much, but I almost always have baby red potatoes on hand. So yesterday I decided to make some roasted red potatoes.

I am sure you could find a recipe exactly like this online, but since I didn't use one, I am claiming this one as all mine. So here are the details of Emma's Parmesan Onion Roasted Potatoes. 

First I cut about 6 baby red potatoes into quarters and about a quarter of an onion into this slices. I used a sweet onion because they are my favorite. I tossed the onion and potatoes into a roasting pan and coated them in about 1 tbsp of olive oil. I also sprinkled some Jane's Crazy Mixed Up Salt over the the potatoes. 

 

Then I put them in the oven at 425 and burnt my hand while doing it. (Cooking is always an adventure with me). 

I stirred the potatoes around 10 minutes and then let roast for another 10. I thinly grated some parmigiano cheese and for the last minute I added that to the top. About 2 tbsp worth probably. I used some really good cheese I got at Wegman's it was nice and strong and really made the potatoes yummy. 

And that's it! After the cheese had melted out it came and into a bowl. I added a little salt because I love salt, but other than the burn these are an easy peezy side dish. 

 

I actually ate them as my lunch, but in theory they really are a side dish. Hope you enjoy!

The Great Boot Hunt of 2012

Every year as soon as fall comes I get all excited when I see all these cute outfits paired with boots. Skinny jeans, leggings, cute fall sweater dresses. And every year I head right to the mall or DSW to find a pair of boots that fit me. And ever year I fail.

Apparently I have very fat calves. Yes, I know they made wide leg ones. They still don't make it over the portion of my legs right under my knee. Last year I was so frustrated. My mom took me boot shopping for my birthday and we tried on every boot we could find. Not a single pair fit. I did however get an amazing pair of UGGs for my birthday that I absolutely love.

So tonight we are off boot shopping. I told my Mom that I mind as well find out now if I am going to be able to find a pair that fits. That way I don't spend all fall and winter thinking, "oh, I'll go look for a pair of boots" and get frustrated.

Let's keep our fingers crossed I can find some fantastic pair like below that fit. :)