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

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