Hash Brown Egg Breakfast

This FANTASTIC breakfast came up in the meeting yesterday so I thought I'd give you the skinny!  Here are two ways to make this YUMMY filling breakfast.  They both include your 2 t of healthy oils.  If you like to get you oils in some where else, then reduce the PPV for both by 2.  I also like to have chili sauce with mine once in a while.  It adds 1 PPV.  I only added the chili sauce to the first one because it is what I had for breakfast :)

To make this yummy breakfast, put the evoo in your small skillet and heat.  I cook my potato in the microwave then dice and put in the oil with the onions.  If you are using frozen hash browns, just add them to the hot oil with the diced onions (optional).  Once the onions and potatoes are browned, I add the eggs, either whole or scrambled, depending on preference.  Cook to desired doneness.

Heartier Version
3  Tbsp chili sauce (optional)	1
120  gm potato, baked	3
2  item(s) egg	4
2 t evoo	2
1/4 cup(s) onion (optional)	0
Subtotal	10
Lighter Version
1/2 cup(s) frozen hash brown potatoes	2
1  item(s) egg white(s)	0
1  item(s) egg	2
1/4 cup(s) onion (optional)	0
2  tsp olive oil	2
1/2 cup(s) salsa (optional)	0
Subtotal	6

Why does Weight Watchers include PointsPlus values for fruits and vegetables in recipes?

It has always been the policy at Weight Watchers to incorporate the nutrients of vegetables (and now fruit) into recipes. Why? A few reasons…

1)     Vegetables and fruit add fiber and other nutrients, and without including them it can impact the PointsPlus value.

2)     Our recipes are often featured in articles and magazines nationally and as a result they need to disclose this info to ensure the appropriate calories and nutrient content are displayed if evaluated by organizations outside of Weight Watchers.

3)     Since many non-Weight Watchers recipes include nutritional information these days, they want their calculations to match those for recipes you find in other places. They don't want to unfairly advantage their own recipes.

4)     Once you start combining vegetables and fruits with other foods, you change the experience of eating them. Few people overindulge on carrots but might on muffins made with carrots. To ignore them in recipes would place Weight Watcher member at risk for abuse potential.

That being said, if you are making an all veggie & fruit salad or smoothie that you make often for zero PPV and want to easily be able to add it to your e-tools tracker, here's an idea that works.  Add all of the ingredients to a meal time that is empty on your e-tools tracker.  You will notice the "Save as a Meal" button right below the meal time.  Click this and PRESTO, you can name this smoothie or salad or whatever to easily pop into your tracker later.  Saved meals are listed on the bottom of your favorites.

As always, remember that if we overeat our 0 PPV Fruits and Veggies, we may not see the losses we are looking for.  If you fear that your "inner monkey" might be taking over, take a look at your fruit and veggie intake and make sure that it is between 5-8 servings a day.  Remember that a serving size is 1/2 C for all fruits and vegetables unless they are a leafy green.  Leafy green servings size is 1 C.

Lentil Leek Soup

PointsPlus™ Value:    2 Servings:  24, 1 C servings     Ingredients     1 cup(s) celery, chopped      1 cup(s) onion(s), chopped      4 medium uncooked red potatoes      2 cup(s) carrot(s)      3 cup(s) leek(s)      1 cup(s) spinach      1 cup(s) cilantro      1/2 pound(s) dry lentils      10 cup(s) water      12 cube(s) chicken bouillon cube

Yogurt Peanut Butter Dip

Yogurt Peanut Butter Dip

1 C Vanilla Light -n- Fit yogurt or plain yogurt

1 T peanut butter

Mix together. 4 Servings (abt 1/4 C each) at 1 PointsPlus Value each.  This is a GREAT on apples. It's a YUMMY way to get that nutty flavor without all the calories.  Remember that 1 teaspoon of peanut butter has 1 PointsPlus Value all by itself.  A 1/4 cup goes a TON further ;)

Beef Stew

PointsPlus™ Value:    3 Servings:  24- 1 Cup servings   Ingredients     4 cups uncooked potatoes     1 1/2 large yams, 12 oz of uncooked yams   2 medium raw onion, chopped           1 cup celery, chopped   2 cups carrots, chopped   3 cans canned condensed cream of mushroom soup      1 cans canned condensed cream of chicken soup      2 cups canned tomato sauce      2 cans beef, canned (Costco) or 16 oz cooked beef   4 Knorr beef bouillon cubes     Instructions Put in the crockpot until the potatoes are tender.

Fruit and a 1/2 cup of lowfat buttermilk in the food processor :) yum!!!

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Funeral Potatoes, Light

	PointsPlus™ Value:    4 Servings:  12 32 oz frozen hash brown potatoes, 32 oz Pkg
	1 serving(s) Cream of Mushroom Soup 98% fat free whole can no milk
	2 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
	16 oz light sour cream

Funeral Potatoes, Regular

PointsPlus™ Value:    7 Servings:  12
	32 oz frozen hash brown potatoes, 32 oz pkg
	1 can(s) canned condensed cream of mushroom soup
	16 oz sour cream
	2 cup(s) Borden Shreds Finely Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Mild

Holiday Success and the PointsPlus Plan :)

Happy Sunday Evening!!

We had the best time last week seeing all of the tremendous success at the scale after one week on the the PointsPlus Plan.  I can't wait to see what happens this week!

THIS WEEK IN OUR MEETINGS we get to look at the strength of the PointsPlus Program as it relates to our holiday eating!!  Parties, gatherings and shopping….,OH MY!!!  You know....during this time of year- things get CRRRRAAAAZZZZYYYYYY!!!  Running here- running there.   THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME to FULLY EMBRACE POINTSPLUS!!  Why?  Because of the sense of control you'll gain!! GET INTO A MEETING!!  Figure out how PointsPlus will make your holiday season the most successful one yet!!!

I can't wait to see y'all!!

--
~Marion~

Visit my blog at meltingmarion.blogspot.com
My Meetings- Provo Center: Monday 10am, Tuesday 5:30pm.  Payson: Wednesday 6pm
***If you would like to be removed from this e-mail list, please reply to this e-mail with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.***

WENDY'S CHILI KNOCKOFF

1 lb. extra lean ground beef, browned, drained, and rinsed under running hot water (in fine mesh strainer)

2 cans Ranch style beans, sauce and all

1 can diced petite tomatoes

1 jar salsa (about 12 oz.)

 

Combine everything in a slow cooker, and cook on low, all day.  Makes 6 BIG bowls, for 6 PointsPlus™ Values, each!  What a deal!

DROP dead Recipes!!! PPV Updated!

I went to a church meeting last night and these two salad recipes were made for us.  They were FANTASTIC!!!  The yogurt dip was given at my Monday morning meeting in Provo.  It was so tasty!!!  I know what I am making for Father's Day!!!

Thai Beef Salad

Marinade-

3/4 t Thai fish sauce

1/2 t crushed black pepper corns

1 1/2 t sweet chili sauce

Dressing-

1/2 C fresh lime juice

2 T brown sugar

2 T fish sauce

1 T Sweet Chili sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 T light soy sauce

1/4 C canola oil

Salad-

1 lbs flank steak, trimmed

1 1/2 C red onion, sliced

1 C grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

6 C romaine lettuce

1 1/4 C English cucumber, sliced

1 red chili pepper, seeded and julienned

1/4 C fresh cilantro, chopped

2 T fresh mint, chopped

Directions- Combine marinade and put over steak.  Marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes.  Grill or broil marinated steak to desired doneness.  Let stand for 5 minutes.  Slice steak.  Combine dressing ingredients.  Stir until the sugar is dissolved.  Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl.  Toss with dressing.  Top with steak, cilantro and mint.  There are 35 points for the whole thing :)  If you have 12 servings, each serving has a PointsPlus value of 3.

Sweet Potato Salad

2 1/2 pounds yams, peeled and diced

2 t olive oil

1/4 C pecans, chopped and toasted

1/2 C dried cranberries

1/2 C green onions, chopped

Dressing-

1 T canned chipotle in adobo

3 T olive oil

1 T shallots or red onion, minced

2 T fresh lime juice

2 T red wine vinegar

2 t honey

2 cloves garlic, minced

salt and pepper to taste

Toss the yams with the 2 t olive oil and place on a sprayed baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees until tender, about 20 minutes.  Remove and let cool.  While these are cooling, place the dressing ingredients, except the canola oil, into a blender or food processor.  Blend.  While blending, add the canola oil in slowly.  When the potatoes are cool, toss with remaining ingredients.  Pour the dressing over the top.  This had 47 points for the whole thing.  If you make 12 servings, there are 5 PointsPlus Value in each serving.

Yogurt Peanut Butter Dip

1 C Vanilla Light -n- Fit yogurt or plain yogurt

1 T peanut butter

Mix together. 4 Servings (abt 1/4 C each) at 1 PointsPlus Value each.  This is a GREAT on apples. It's a YUMMY way to get that nutty flavor without all the calories.  Remember that 1 teaspoon of peanut butter has 1 Point all by its self.  A 1/4 cup goes a TON further ;)

Yummy Cookies from Sue!!! PPV Updated

Wellness Cookies Enjoy the cookies from the Fun Walks at home.
6 T. margarine 1/2 c. granulated sugar 1 c. brown sugar, firmly packed 2 egg whites 1/4 c. molasses 1 c. whole wheat flour 1 c. all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ginger 1/2 tsp. cloves
In a large bowl or electric mixer, beat margarine, brown sugar, egg whites, and molasses (the mixture will look curdled). Sift or stir together all of the dry ingredients. Add to molasses mixture and mix until blended. Cover and chill dough (this is important - dough will be too sticky to handle if not well chilled). Form into ball (about 1 1/2 teaspoons dough). Roll in sugar to coat. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Bake on an ungreased baking sheet for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not over bake, or they will lose their chewy texture. Store in an airtight container.

Makes 4 servings.  2 PointsPlus Values per serving
Calories: 62
Fat: 2 g
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Protein: 1 g
Calcium: 10 mg

From Morris Cafeteria BYU Dining Services
via BYU Wellness Healthy Recipes

Dessert Heaven! PPV Updated

Two PointPlus Values! 1 C Dannon Light 'n Fit yogurt of your choice,  frozen strawberries, and frozen blueberries. YUMMY!

ONE Point Brownies! PPV Updated

Black Bean Brownies

POINTSPLUS® Value: 3 Servings: 36

Ingredients

	1 - 15oz can black beans, undrained
	1 t vanilla, optional
	1 serving(s) Brownie Mix, 9x13 Family
	2 large egg(s) 2 tsp baking powder

Instructions

puree undrained beans. Add to brownie mix along with the remaining ingredients. Bake according to package directions.

Zucchini Brownies! PPV Updated

Now before you gag, these are SO moist and yummy!!! I just whipped some up for the band concert in the park tonight :) Oh baby they are good. 

POINTS® Value: 2 Servings: 32+

Ingredients

1 serving(s) Brownie Mix, 9x13 Family

2 cup(s) zucchini, finely grated

2 item(s) egg

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/4 cup(s) water

Instructions

mix until just mixed ;) Bake at 350 for 35 minutes, or until done.

TIRED!!! Going to BED :) PPV Updated

Today was an emotionally charged day. I am not sure why, but I was on the verge of tears or screaming all day :( I must be losing my mind ;D Any hoots, we went to a church Luau tonight. I was in charge of the desserts. I made this cake. It is SO good. I actually cut it into 48 pieces per cake for 3 PPV per slice. It is DELICIOUS cake :) Everyone loves it and no one has a clue that it is SO low calorie :)
I really need to go shopping for food. We are out of all of the good stuff, like fruits and veggies :( I really am in no mood to go shopping which is not a great thing when you need food and are heading into Sunday :(

Hawaiian Pineapple Cake

POINTS® Value: 6 Servings: 24

Ingredients

	3 item(s) egg white(s)
	1/3 tsp table salt
	3 tsp vanilla extract
	1/3 cup(s) canola oil
	1 1/4 cup(s) water
	1 package(s) regular white cake dry mix
	3/4 tsp cream of tartar
	3 cup(s) powdered sugar
	20 oz canned crushed pineapple in juice
	9 Tbsp water
	3 item(s) egg white(s)

Instructions:

Bake cake according to package directions. Bake for 18-20 min in a bakers 1/2 sheet pan. Let cool. Spoon the entire can of crushed pineapple, with the juice,evenly over top of cooled cake. Set aside. Bring to a boil, 9 T water and 3 C powdered sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. In a mixer, put 3 egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Begin to mix the egg mixture on high and slowly drizzle hot sugar mixture in. Beat on high for 4 min. Add vanilla while beating. Once the icing is the proper consistency for frosting, frost cooled cake and then sprinkle with coconut if desired. This frosting whips up HUGE :) GOOD STUFF!!!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Morning
1 packet(s) Smoothie Drink Mix Creamy Chocolate	1
1 serving(s) Premium Protein, Vanilla, EAS Costco	3
2 Tbsp ground flax seed meal	1
Subtotal	5
Midday
1 serving(s) Whole Wheat Tortilla, Healthy Harvest	0
1 serving(s) Re-fried Beans, Fat free	1
1 slice(s) Bread Dark Rye	1
1 serving(s) Land O' Lakes Light Butter Spread w/ Canola oil	1
Subtotal	3
Evening
3 oz Kahlua pig	4
1 cup(s) watermelon	1
1/2 item(s) whole-wheat dinner roll(s)	1
1 cup(s) tomato(es)	0
1/4 cup(s) cooked white rice	1
1/2 Tbsp whipped salted butter	1
3 Hawaiian Pineapple Cake	13
Fresh Fruit Salad	1
Subtotal	22
Anytime
1/2 cup(s) Loaded Chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream	3
1/2 oz barbecue-flavor potato chips	1.5
Subtotal	4.5
Food POINTS values total used	34.5
Food POINTS values remaining	0
Activity
34 min jogging	5
10 min Sit-ups	1
10 min Push-ups	1
30 min stretching	1
Activity POINTS values earned	8
Check off these important items daily:
Liquids Milk & Milk Products Fruit & Vegetables Multivitamin/Mineral Healthy Oil Activity Lean Protein Whole Grains

Yam Fries??? :p PPV Updated

Now, while I have had a bite of two of yams in my life, I HATE THEM!!! They are too starchy and sweet and YUCKY!!! So, for my new fruit or veggie for the day, I am making baked Yam Fries. I sure hope they taste good!
I just tried these... THEY WERE AWESOME!!!! I cut them into fries and then just placed them on a sprayed baking sheet and then strayed the fries with Pam and salted them. We ate them with ketchup. TASTY!!!

2 lg. unpeeled sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs.)
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground coriander
1/4 tsp. pepper
Vegetable cooking spray

Scrub potatoes; cut each into thin (4 x 1/4 x 1/4 inch) strips. Combine oil and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl, stir well. Add potatoes and toss well. Arrange in single layer on baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes, turning every 15 minutes. Yield 4 servings.
198 grams equals 4 PPV ;D

Great smoothie- 1 apple 2

Great smoothie-
1 apple
2 celery stks
1 pkt ww vanilla smoothie pkt
lots of ice & about 1 c of water.
Blend well :)

GIANT 1 Point Snack! PPV Updated

1 C frozen pineapple (160g)
1 can of diet Sunkist
BLEND!!! Add ice, a few cubes at a time until thick. This makes a HUGE (about 3 cups), really thick, SUPER tasty frozen treat for ZERO PPV!!! HooRah!!!!

3 PPV Muffins! PPV Updated

So far so good! I think I have it under control for the evening... I HOPE! Hopefully no "nice" neighbors will bring any sweet (or salty, for that matter) offerings over this evening. My stash of Diet Pepsi is OUT and I am going to need some to make it through the evening.... hmmmmmm... I have already been to Walmart once today, I may have to go again :( I guess I can suffer with Crystal light ;D I really like the Morning Sunrise mixed with the Cranberry Apple. YUMMY! OK, now I am excited :)
Oh- and to keep my mind off of food this afternoon, we cleaned up the yard and patio so we could dine al fresco ;)

Breakfast-
1/2 cheese bagel and light cream cheese 5
5.5 oz V8
Lunch-
1/ Ciabatta roll...3.5 pts
pastrami....2 pts
5.5 oz V8
1 C fruit...1 point
Dinner plans....
1 veggie burger ...1 point
Thomas' Light Multi-Grain English muffin... 1 point
111 g baked fries......1.5 points
green salad
1 slice KEY LIME PIE!!!! 10 points
Snack-
5.5 oz V8
Sugar free shave ice :)
Activity-
Swimming laps for 35 minutes.....5 points
(the quad seemed Ok with this activity :)

Here is the YUMMY 1 Point Muffin Recipe :)

Three PPV Muffins
Mix and let sit for 10 mins:
3 cups All Bran ( cereal)
2 1/2 cups warm water or coffee for chocolate (regular or decaf)
Add:
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 box Krusteaz Fat Free Muffin or Brownie Mix (prepare as directed on the box)
Combine the soaked bran and muffin mixture. Bake @ 350 for 30 minutes makes 24 muffins. They are best if they sit in fridge in baggie over night. I have used the Fat Free blueberry and the Cranberry-orange mixes. I add extra fresh or frozen blueberries to the blueberry and extra cranberries to the cranberry.

VICTORY!!! Yummy Lowfat Homemade Ice Cream!!!

Just a quick reminder that all Weight Watchers meetings will be closed May 25th, for Memorial Day. Please take a moment to find another time to come and hit a meeting this week. It will be well worth your while :)
Now- for those of you who hit any of my meetings last week, you know I am a homemade ice cream junky. I LOVE IT!!! Today, I made a delicious batch of LOW FAT, LOW POINTS Strawberry Banana ice cream :) It is so good. I just finished my entire 1 cup for only a points value of 3. A 1/2 C serving has only 1 point :) I am one happy girl!!! Now, I do have a 6 quart ice cream maker, so you will need to modify this for a 4 or 2 quart ice cream freezer. Here it is... drum roll please...

Homemade Ice Cream- Strawberry Banana

POINTS® Value: 3 Servings: 24

Ingredients

	2 large banana(s), mashed
	6 cup(s) strawberries, pureed
	6 large egg(s)
	1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
	1 cup(s) fat-free sweetened condensed milk
	2 cup(s) SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener
	12 cup(s) 1% Low fat Milk

Instructions

1 C serving has 3 points
1/2 C serving is 1 point
In a heavy pan, mix well, 6-8 cups of milk, I cup flour and six eggs. Heat over medium flame until the mixture becomes thick. REmove from heat and add 1/4 C vanilla, sweetened condensed milk and splenda. Let cool until it is cold in the refrigerator or freezer. Blend the strawberries and bananas with just enough milk to blend well (It took 3 blender fulls to get it all blended). Combine everything in 1 and 1/2 gallon ice cream maker. Add remaining milk to fill line. Freeze according to your freezers instructions. Please email with any questions.

We've been missing you!

Happy Memorial Day weekend to you all. I hope you are spending time doing the things you love this long weekend. I sure hope you made it into a meeting this week to learn some GREAT ways to Prepare Yourself for this fun weekend .
I have been noticing that our meetings are getting a bit smaller lately . I know this time of year can be really busy with graduations, ball games and lots of other fun stuff. I sure hope that you will find a way to get yourself into a meeting this week. Meeting attendance was CRUCIAL for my weight loss success and it is ESSENTIAL to yours. People who attend their meetings lose 3 times as much weight as people who go it alone. I know you have heard this before, but I am proof it is true. Come on in and remind yourself how much these meetings can do for you... and besides I MISS YOU!!!
Now this weeks meeting was made for ME . Yep- it's on MOTIVATION- how to get it and how to keep it! As many of you know, I am training for my first marathon next month. It has been REALLY hard, and really rewarding, and REALLY stressful! When I get stressed, like many of us, I EAT! When I worry, I eat. When I am tired, I eat. The marathon has caused me to really have to focus on what I want, REALLY want, when I am feeling tired, sore and like crawling into my bed with a bag of Oreo's and ice cream. We all have times when our motivation wanes and lags, it's a natural part of change and the weigh loss and maintenance cycle. This week in meeting we are going work on the fabulous Tool for Living, Motivation Strategy. This is a "must have" skill, and one that needs some fine tuning at times. Please, please, please come in and see me .

To DIE For Cherry Brownies
2 pkg, Hershey's Kisses Brownie Mix (2 - 1 lbs 4 oz mixes) Costco has a 6 pack
1 - 15 oz can black beans w/ liquid, pureed in the blender
4 egg whites
¼ C water
12 oz frozen cherries, cut in half (about 2 ½ C)
Puree beans in the blender with their juice, and the ¼ C water. Once pureed, add the egg whites and blend to incorporate. Pour blender contents into a bowl with the brownie mix. Mix until just moistened. Fold in Cherries. Do not over mix. Bake in a large 9x13 (10¼ x 15¼), greased baking dish, for 40 min, 375 degrees, and 10 min with the oven off. Cut into 32 squares (4x8). 3 POINTS per brownie ( vs. 5 POINTS w/o modifications)


Buttermilk Tomatillo Dip
1 pkg Hidden Valley "The Original Ranch Buttermilk Recipe Salad Dressing Mix (Be sure to get the BUTTERMILK recipe) JUST THE POWDER
1 jalapenos
2 tomatillos, de-husked and quartered
1 bunch cilantro
juice of one lime
2 cloves of garlic
2 Cups fat free mayonnaise
Starting with the tomatillos, blend in the blender. This is the most amazing dip ever. 1/4 Cups of the dip is ZERO POINTS :) 1/2 a cup is 1 POINT. 1 C is 2 POINTS. It's 7 POINTS if you eat ALL of it :) If you are leary of jalapenos, add a 1/2 to start with and then taste. Add more as needed. I have added the whole thing and find it very mild. It makes nearly 4 Cups.
***You could try 2 C of fat free sour cream for the same POINTS value***