Simple Success with the Weight Watchers Simple Start App

January 20, 2014 by 7 Comments

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.

Weight Watchers Simple Start App success #SimpleStart

Over the past two weeks I’ve jumped back in to the Weight Watchers lifestyle with the help of the Weight Watchers Simple Start app. And during these two weeks I’ve learned a lot about myself and what I’m capable of.

Now I’ve never had problems losing weight. it’s sticking with a weight loss plan/healthy lifestyle that I have trouble with. But luckily I’ve found over these two weeks that Simple Start is my answer to this problem.

Whenever I get tired of counting points I can simply switch to Simple Start for two weeks to reset myself and focus on eating until I am comfortably full and satisfied while still trying to get the good health guidelines in. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Health & Wellness, Uncategorized, weight loss, Weight Watchers Tagged With: , , , ,

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

January 13, 2014 by 22 Comments

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 10 Comments

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 13 Comments

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 20 Comments

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: , , , , , , ,

Peach Upside Down Cake

June 8, 2013 by 7 Comments

I recently held a playdate over at my house for my playgroup and one of the mamas came over with a large carton of peaches in tow to share with everyone. When she left she graciously left the remaining peaches.

Now there are a lot of foods I’ll eat without a problem but I’ve never taken well to peaches, nectarines and apricots. Something about them has never been very appealing. So I was very surprised when my son started asking to eat the peaches and could consume a whole, large one on his own for breakfast. But even though he showed an interest in them he couldn’t eat the peaches fast enough to go through the whole bunch.

I had to start thinking of a way to use up the excess peaches. And so I went off to Google in search of a good recipe to use for our upcoming 4th of July dinner at my brother-in-law’s house. As soon as I landed on this recipe by one of my favorite cooks, Alton Brown, I knew he wouldn’t disappoint me. But since I was feeding a larger group and also didn’t have the time to prep and bake this dessert at my brother-in-law’s house I tweaked the recipe a bit to allow for making larger cakes.

I tested the recipe out this weekend and whoa! It came out perfectly! The addition of vanilla bean ice cream took this dessert over the edge. Remember how I’m the one who isn’t so crazy about peaches? Well I even ate a piece for breakfast the next day! I’ll definitely be trying this with apples in the Fall.

Peach Upside Down Cake1

[Read more…]

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Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipe

June 5, 2013 by 20 Comments

I love summertime. For one we get to play outside later in the evening and secondly my mother-in-law is always sure to bring over some yummy (but very large) zucchini.

Figuring out ways to use up the zucchini is always fun and shredding it to put in baked goods and savory meals is usually the way to go. Especially since my son has a fascination with our food processor.

When searching for a recipe to use up some of our zucchini I stumbled upon a delicious looking muffin recipe. Chocolate and zucchini? Why it’s a match made in heaven!

This bread tastes exactly like a chocolate cake. My son would have had no clue that there was zucchini in it had he not been the one to help mix the ingredients together.

And the mini chocolate chips just add a bit of deliciousness and push this bread over the edge. Next time I might consider adding a few walnuts to the mix. Mmmm….

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

[Read more…]

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Chocolate Ricotta Stuffed Strawberries

February 11, 2013 by 14 Comments

Chocolate Ricotta Stuffed Strawberries

Love is in the air and Valentine’s Day is just a few days away. For those of you who, like me, are watching their girlish figures this dessert recipe is for you! These chocolate ricotta stuffed strawberries are not only delicious, they’re filling too! They’ll satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth.

The strawberries at my local Costco looked absolutely amazing this week. So I knew I was either going to dip a few in chocolate or come up with something creative. This was the creative option. And it took all of 10 minutes to prep and make.

Make a few for you and your significant other or a whole platter for a party! Everyone will be glad you did.

[Read more…]

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The Best Turkey Meatloaf Ever

January 4, 2013 by 36 Comments

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: , , , ,

Baked Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal Squares Breakfast Recipe

December 6, 2012 by 20 Comments

Peanut Butter & Banana Oatmeal Squares

Peanut Butter and Banana Breakfast Squares

If you’re a peanut butter lover AND watching your figure don’t walk, run to go make these healthy baked peanut butter and banana oatmeal squares!

These little squares are packed with flavor and super filling. Now you may be saying healthy oatmeal squares? But if you look at the recipe, there’s nothing “diet” about them. I mean they have butter and real sugar!

No skimping out on this one. If you’re like me and eat a hearty breakfast every morning, help yourself to two servings piled with bananas on top and non-fat vanilla yogurt on the side for an awesome and very tasty breakfast. Each square is only 4 WW+ points.

Seriously… go make these now. [Read more…]

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