Finding a New Way to Stay Active and Enjoy Life + a recipe for Salmon Burgers

January 13, 2014 by

I was given a free one month subscription to Weight Watchers to try their new Simple Start plan and write about my experience.Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are my own

Finding A New Way To Stay Active and a recipe for Salmon Burgers #SimpleStart

Every other time I start a weight loss journey I jump right in feet first. I start running again, go to lots of classes at the gym (more than my normal 2 or 3), and eat by the book. But this first week on Simple Start I’ve tried something a bit different.

Instead I’ve taken it a bit slower. I’ve decided that I’m not quite the runner I wanted to be. Walking seems to be easier on my joints and I’m getting more miles in by switching up the pace. And… I’ve found my motivation!

I’m also having some fun in the kitchen as well. Not necessarily trying outlandish and adventurous things, but going back to the recipes I love. Including this amazingly delicious salmon burger that’s perfect for any time of the year. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Dinner, Health & Wellness, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized, weight loss, Weight Watchers, Weight Watchers Tagged With: , , , , ,

Delicious Peanut Butter S’mores {4 WW+ Dessert}

January 9, 2014 by

A friend of mine recently mentioned the delicious low point dessert she made to curb a craving she had. She made some sugar free, fat free white chocolate jello and topped it with strawberries. YUM! So I started thinking about the dessert items I have made to hit the spot.

One of them is a delicious s’mores recipe that uses marshmallow creme instead of marshmallows and uses mini chocolate chips instead of a chocolate bar. You bake it in the oven (or toaster oven) and within 5-10 minutes a delicious, mouthwatering snack comes out.

I just took that recipe and spiced it up for what I was craving. And while it did come out with a higher points value, that’s ok! It was so worth it. And I only ate one serving and shared the other with my son. He was more than ecstatic to help me eat some points so I wasn’t tempted to go after the other one.

Peanut Butter Smores [Read more…]

Filed Under: Desserts, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized, Weight Watchers Tagged With: , , ,

Green Monster Protein Smoothie {6 WW+}

January 7, 2014 by

Green Monster Protein SmoothieThere’s one thing I’ve been obsessed about for months. Something that’s healthy for me that I actually crave at times. And you’ll think I’m crazy, but they really are good. What am I talking about? This green monster protein smoothie.

No, seriously… this protein-packed green machine is something I blend up in the morning and enjoy sipping until the very end. I have to thank the frozen banana and teaspoon of PB2 for that.

Haven’t heard of PB2? Well it’s basically powdered peanut butter and is much more calorie friendly than your typical jar of Skippy or Jif. You can find it on Amazon or on select store shelves. You can also find another version from Just Great Stuff that tastes very similar. And? It also comes in chocolate peanut butter form too!

I’ve spotted the Just Great Stuff brand at Target and Whole Foods but there are specialty stores around town that carry PB2 as well. And the protein powder? I pick up the Whole Foods generic brand, 365. It was recommended by a few people and I enjoy the taste.

Oh, and this whole huge 24oz cup? 6 WW+ points! How awesome is that? Definitely a breakfast I can dig before a workout. Then, when I have more time at lunch, I enjoy some scrambled eggs after my workouts. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Drinks & Refreshments, Health & Wellness, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized, Weight Watchers Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Creating a Healthy Lifestyle with Weight Watchers Simple Start

January 6, 2014 by

I was given a free one month subscription to Weight Watchers to try their new Simple Start plan and write about my experience.Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are my own.

Creating a Healthy Lifestyle with Weight Watchers Simple Start #SimpleStart

It all starts with a plan. And attainable goals. What might seem like small little changes will eventually start to turn into a large lifestyle change. That’s what Weight Watchers Simple Start has provided for me.

Now I’ve been on Weight Watchers before. Before having my son, and then again after the birth of my son and my daughter. However keeping track of points, logging in, and staying on track proved to get away from me when I started showing signs of success, usually around the 25 pound loss mark.

So with a new year comes a new goal… to not hop off the wagon! To stay OP (on plan) and to try new things. That’s why I love that Weight Watchers has this new Simple Start app that can help me follow the simply filling plan easier for two weeks to reset my eating habits and get me on the right track. Without counting points. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Health & Wellness, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized, weight loss, Weight Watchers, Weight Watchers Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Best Turkey Meatloaf Ever

January 4, 2013 by

the best turkey meatloaf ever

The Best Turkey Meatloaf Ever

When I first started Weight Watchers before my son was born I fell in love with making meatloaf from ground turkey. While I heard complaints about ground turkey being too dry and not as good as ground beef I was determined to make a tasty and healthy version of one of my favorites.

With a few additional ingredients to my original meatloaf recipe I created a delicious meal that I make over and over again. It truly is the best turkey meatloaf ever! I cheat a little and use the Trader Joe’s frozen fire roasted onions and peppers. Then I chop them up into smaller pieces. I think that the juices from the cooked veggies really add more flavor to the whole meal.

The best part is how versatile it is. While I always include the ingredients below I sometimes add extra veggies or different cheese to the mix to change it up. Well… and to clean out the fridge. Grated zucchini is probably the best addition to this recipe. But make sure to squeeze out all of the excess liquid first before adding it.

If you’re looking for a great way to incorporate veggies into you meal without having to pile on an extra serving, this is a great way to do it! Now I just wish my kids would start to gobble it up as much as my husband and I do. We think they might be warming up to it though.

The Best Turkey Meatloaf Ever
Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup onions and peppers, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup swiss cheese (any type would work)
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Saute onions and peppers in a nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Grab a small cup or bowl and mix together ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar. Set aside to top meatloaf later.
  4. Place ground turkey in a large bowl, add sauteed veggies, egg, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, panko, swiss cheese, salt and pepper. Mix together well until everything is incorporated.
  5. Grab a loaf pan and add meat mixture to the pan forming a round dome on top. Cook for 40-45 minutes.
  6. Take meatloaf out of the oven and top with a thin layer of the ketchup mixture. Place back in the oven and cook for another 15 minutes or until fully cooked and the inside reads 160 degrees.
  7. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Serves 5, 2 slices = 1 serving at 6 WW points

Filed Under: Dinner, Recipes, Uncategorized, Weight Watchers Tagged With: , , , ,

Low-Fat Turkey Chili with Beans {4 WW pp+}

September 16, 2012 by

Turkey Chili with Beans

One thing that has become very apparent these past two weeks is that it is, in fact, football season again. My tv is once again taken over and Sunday afternoons and Monday nights are filled with the sound of yelling and cheering.

I have to be honest though, I’m not really that into football. But I am into football food! The excuse to invite people over to sit around and eat appetizers and yummy bbq is just too enticing. And one of my favorite go to recipes to make is a delicious turkey chili with beans.

Not only is it quick and easy, it can simmer in the slow cooker all day and be used as needed for munching. Plus it’s versatile. We put chili on just about everything. Hot dogs, nachos, fries, etc. It makes just about anything better. And it’s low fat! That’s right. This recipe is filled with low fat turkey chili, tons of veggies, and spices and seasonings to create a flavor you will love. [Read more…]

Filed Under: In the Kitchen, Recipes, Soups & Salads, Uncategorized, Weight Watchers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Green Monster Smoothies {Breakfast Recipe}

March 23, 2012 by
Green Monster Smoothie

One of my favorite new ways to get greens into my kids is by blending them up into smoothie form. And this smoothie started it all. Now this is just your basic Green Monster. There are so many different variations of this smoothie and my kids and I love to experiment with what we put in it when we make it.

For some awesome ways to shake up the original recipe check out my friend CB’s Green Monster journey over on her blog See Cupcake Run. Just search for “green monster” since I’m not sure how to link to one of her categories.

Green Monster Smoothie

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 ripe, frozen banana, peeled
  • 3 handfuls organic spinach
  • 1 tablespoon ground flax
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter (or PB2)
  • 4-5 ice cubes

Add 1 cup of milk to the blender.

Now add in the chia or flax (if using) and nut butter.

Next, add in the spinach followed by the banana on top.

Blend until smooth.

Add in your ice cubes and blend some more.

Serves 2 | 4 WW pp+ with PB2 (not including banana)

Filed Under: Drinks & Refreshments, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized, Weight Watchers Tagged With: , , , , , ,


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