Thursday 28th – National Public Sleeping Day

So today is National Public Sleeping Day!! That one made me smile.

Train, bus and desk: three of the best places to fall asleep publicly today. Swimming pools, staff meetings, and construction sites: three places where it’s probably best not to celebrate this holiday today.

I remember when I lived in Bristol, England I used to take the bus to work and it was quite entertaining to watch people sleeping.  I loved it when their necks bobbed and they then tried to make it look like they really hadn’t nodded off!!

On one occasion as a family we drove from England to France for a family vacation.  We took the overnight ferry, so drove through the night once we were in France.  My poor hubby was exhausted.  When we eventually stopped for a bathroom break and some munchies.  He found a public bench laid himself down and nodded off.  I am sure if I was to dig through old family photos I would find a picture of him laid on that bench in France sleeping, oblivious to all around him, including the kids laughter!!!  The picture above is not my hubby it is just a National Public Sleeping Day pic!  He didn’t wear his white shirt and tie and carry his briefcase when we were vacationing in France!!!!

BREAKFAST

Ham & Cheese Scone Sandwich (6 Points Plus)

Fresh Fruit (0 Points Plus)

Fruit Juice (2 Points Plus)

Another super easy breakfast.  Last slice of that really good Ham & Cheese Scone.  I served this with an egg in a mug to make a nice little sandwich.  I lightly sprayed a mug with cooking spray, Add a handful of baby spinach leaves, poured on 1/4 Cup Egg Beaters (2 Egg Whites) and salt and black pepper to taste.  Zapped in the microwave for 2 minutes.  Slightly warmed up the scone.  Served with banana and some blueberries.  Feeling VERY satisfied!

LUNCH

Skinny Broccoli Alfredo (8 Points Plus)

Banana (0 Points Plus)

Wow, that breakfast was really filling.  2pm and I thought I had better eat my lunch.  Didn’t even have a mid morning snack.  Easy lunch today, leftover portion of the skinny Broccoli Alfredo from dinner last night.  As I said yesterday I don’t really think this recipe is a keeper!  It’s not awful, but 8 Points Plus seems a lot for what it is.

DINNER

Shrimp Tacos ( 7 Points Plus)

Corn on the Cob (2 Points Plus)

Took the shrimp out to defrost while I was at work.  Really looking forward to this one.  I like shrimp, I love avocado and I like cilantro, so to me this sounds like a winner.  I like the fact that it is speedy to prepare and cook.  I  usually don’t get home until around 6.  I need to get this prepared, cooked and eaten all before 7, as I need to be somewhere for 7pm!  Immediately following that I have my Zumba class at 8:30pm.  So tonight is a busy evening.

Well no problem getting this one fixed.  It really was a speedy meal.  I was a little annoyed to go in the fridge to get everything out and realise that somehow or another I had forgotten to buy Cilantro.  It was very good nonetheless.  Another one of those meals where I get to serve it up slightly different for lunch tomorrow.  I put a small container of the shrimps and a separate container of the avocado salsa in the fridge, and tomorrow for lunch I will make lettuce wraps.  I would make these again I really enjoyed them.  I was halfway through my meal when I realised I didn’t get a picture – oops!!  My hubby smiles when out comes the camera to take pictures – I explained to him that is what people do on blogs!!

Shrimp Tacos (7 Points Plus)

Serves 3

• 3/4 lb Medium Shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2/3 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2/3 tsp Chipotle Chili Powder
• 1/3 tsp Cumin
• 2/3 tsp Kosher Salt
• 2/3 Cup Chopped Tomatoes
• 1 1/2 Tbsp onion, diced
• 1 tsp Lime Juice
• 1 1/2 Tbsp Cilantro, minced
• 2/3 avocado, peeled and finely chopped
• 4 Corn Tortillas

In a bowl toss the shrimp, olive oil, chili powder and salt together.

Heat a skillet over medium heat high heat.  Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 mins on each side.  Set aside 1/3 of the shrimps for lunch tomorrow.

Meanwhile toss together the tomato, chopped onion, lime juice, salt, pepper, avocado and cilantro in a bowl.  Set aside 1/3 Salsa for lunch tomorrow.

Serve over Corn Tortillas, 2 Tortillas per person.

Store the shrimp and salsa separately for tomorrow’s lunch.

EXTRAS

Lollipop (1 Points Plus)

DAILY STATS

26 Daily Points Plus

18 Activity Points Earned (2 Zumba Classes 30 Minute and 60 minute!)

Wednesday 27th – No Brainer Day!

Who would have thought that there are so many special days.  After discovering yesterday was National Pistachio Day I was eager to see what today was!

February 27th is No Brainer Day!  A whole day devoted to obvious choices? It’s a no brainer! 

My husband is going to like it when I share that with him.  We own a printer cartridge business and one of the posters we have in the store says “Refilling your printer cartridges is a no brainer”!!!!!

BREAKFAST

Greek Yoghurt, Chocolate & Blue Parfait ( 5 Points Plus)

Fruit Juice (2 Points Plus)

This morning I had another of those yummy breakfast parfait that I made on Monday.  This time I used blueberries and for the cereal portion I used the no sugar added Alpen cereal.  It was so-oo good!  It made quite a big serving too.  Layered it all up in a large glass again.  3/4 Cup 0% Greek yogurt, 1  cup Blueberries, 1/2 cup 2 point cereal (I used Alpen muesli today) and 1  tsp Mini Chocolate Chips.

LUNCH

Chicken & Roasted Vegetable Salad ( 7 Points Plus)

Banana ( o Points Plus)

Another one of those fabulous pull it out of the fridge lunches.  So today I had the chicken breast that I had cooked up last night whilst making dinner.  The final portion of those yummy roasted vegetables from Saturday.  I also packed some baby spinach and 2 Tbsp crumbled Goat Cheese.  I heated up the chicken and roasted vegetables in the microwave.  Put the spinach leaves on a plate, topped with the heated chicken and vegetables and sprinkled with the cheese.  What a yummy no-fuss lunch that was!  I actually wished I had my camera with me.  It looked very pretty on the plate!  Bright green spinach, red grape tomatoes, orange butternut squash and the creamy white of the cheese.  Delish!

DINNER

Skinny Broccoli Alfredo ( 8 Points Plus)

Dinner tonight I am thinking will not impress the hubby.  According to him “It isn’t a meal if it doesn’t have meat!”  An Alfredo Sauce based on creamed cauliflower intrigues me?

Well, this was quite labour intensive for what it was.  I don’t think it is a keeper, so I won’t be posting a copy of this recipe into the “dinner” category.  I wasn’t too keen on the texture of the Cauliflower Cream Sauce.  Also as it cooled, the parmesan in it seemed to congeal.  I grilled up a Hamburger patty for my hubby so that he would have some meat!

I did take a picture, but then when I went to post it realised my camera was acting up.  Although to be honest it wasn’t a very exciting picture!    A portion of this was set aside for lunch tomorrow, hopefully I will enjoy it a bit better than I did tonight.

Skinny Broccoli Alfredo (8 Points Plus)

Serves 3

• 1/3 Head Cauliflower, chopped
• 1/4 Tbsp plus 1 tsp Olive Oil, divided
• 1 Shallot, minced
• 1 Clove Garlic, minced
• 1/8 Cup Fat Free Milk
• 1/8 Cup Chicken Broth
• 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
• 5oz High Fibre Pasta
• 2 Small heads Broccoli
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil.  Add the cauliflower and simmer for 20-25 mins until the cauliflower is tender.  Remove the cauliflower.  In the same water, quickly parboil the broccoli for 2 mins.  Set aside.  Finally, add the pasta and cook according to package directions.  Drain,

Meanwhile in a saute pan, add 1/4 Tbsp Olive Oil and Shallot.  Saute over medium heat for about 5 mins until tender.  Add half of the minced garlic and cook for 1 min.  Add the evaporated milk and cook for 2 mins.

Add the cauliflower, shallot mixture, parmesan cheese, chicken broth, salt and pepper to a blender.  Blend until creamy  and smooth.  Set aside.

Wipe skillet clean with a paper towel.  Add 1 tsp olive Oil over medium heat.  Add remaining garlic and broccoli.  Cook for 1-2 mins.

Turn the heat down to low and add the Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce and Pasta.  Serve.

Two servings are for dinner and one is for lunch later in the week.

EXTRAS

Apple (0 Points Plus)

Celery Sticks with Salsa Cheese Ball (2 Points Plus)

Cracker Chips (2 Points Plus)

DAILY STATS

26 Daily Points Plus

Tuesday 26th National Pistachio Day and Tell A Fairy Tale Day!!

Apparently today is National Pistachio Day!!  I should buy my hubby a bag in honour of this day.  He loves them!  I like the fact that they are a “fantastic source of antioxidants”!!!  However at 2-3 calories per nut they can pack on the calories pretty fast!

• Are you a pistachio nut nut? Then we don’t need to tell you that this small tree nut comes from places like Greece, Turkey and Afghanistan. And we sure don’t need to tell you that they are a fantastic source of antioxidants. Now, can you tell us how to eat the ones with the shells that aren’t cracked enough to open without getting ow-ies on our thumbs?

Today is also Tell A Fairy Tale Day ….

• Stuck for something to do today? Grab a piece of paper and start with the words “Once upon a time…” Then add some fairies, a gnome and a dragon or two. When you are done, you’ll know what to do!

So here goes …. Once upon a time there was a wonderful person called Princess Yvonne, she longed to be slim like all the other princesses ….

Okay back to reality I don’t think my Fairy Godmother is going to make me slim again, I think I may need to work on that one myself!!!

 

BREAKFAST

Banana Protein Pancakes (5 Points Plus)

Blueberries (0 PP)

Fruit Juice (2 Points Plus)

Breakfast was so easy this morning, opened my tupperware container with the remainder of the Banana Protein Pancakes I made on Saturday.  Popped them in microwave for 30 seconds, topped with some blackberries and blueberries and a little E D Smith Sugar Free Syrup.  Super easy breakfast!

LUNCH

Sausage & Peppers  (5 Points Plus)

Flatbread Fold It Flatbread (2 Points Plus)

2 Tbsp Mozzarella Cheese ( 1 Points Plus)

Celery Sticks ( 0 Points Plus)

1/8 Cup Salsa Cream Cheese Ball (1 Points Plus)

Well, busy today and didn’t actually get lunch break until 2pm.  But do you know my breakfast kept me going with my banana around noon.

This morning I took out the portion of Sausage & Peppers that I put aside on Sunday and sprinkled with 2 Tbsp Mozzarella Cheese.  At lunchtime I microwaved for about 2 mins, the mozzarella melted all through the sausages.  Then I piled into my Flatout Fold It.  Nice big sandwich.  Because I used Turkey Italian Sausages, the sandwich had a really great flavour to it.  Definitely a yummy lunch.

DINNER

Chicken with Jalopeno Cream (8 Points Plus)

Steamed Broccoli & Cauliflower ( 0 PP)

I really do need to perfect my presentation skills.  This was really delicious.  I was a little concerned that the Jalopeno Pepper might be a little bit on the hot side, so I just used 1/2 of the Pepper.  They had both green and red jalopenos to choose from.  I’m glad I went with the red, the little bits show up much better.  This is most definitely more of a cream, than a sauce.  Even though the recipe uses the word “thicken” it most definitely is not a thick sauce.  I drizzled over the veggies too which gave them a nice flavour also.  Nice part here was that I cooked up an extra chicken breast and popped that in the fridge for lunch tomorrow.  Four days in and I am really enjoying the menu for this week.

Chicken with Jalopeno Cream ( 8 Points Plus)

Serves 2

• 3 – 6oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• 2/3 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
• 2/3 Tbsp Butter
• 1 Jalopeno, seeded and minced
• 1 Tbsp Onioon, minced
• 1 Clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 Tbsp flour
• 1/8 Cup Non Fat Milk
• 6oz Evaporated Milk
• 1 Tbsp finely grated Parmesan Cheese
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees.  Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

Heat an ovenproof pan over medium heat.  Add the vegetable oil.  One it is hot, sear the chicken breasts on both sides and then place in the oven to cook for 20-25 mins.  Set one chicken breast aside for lunch tomorrow.

Using a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the onions, jalopeno and garlic.  Cook for about 3 mins.  Whisk in the flour to create a roux.

Turn the heat down to medium low and add the skimmed milk and evaporated mik.  Cook for about 7 mins until it begins to thicken.  Turn off the heat and stir in the cheese.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Right before serving, squeeze the lemon over the chicken and spoon the sauce over.

Extra chicken breast without sauce will be used for lunch tomorrow.

EXTRAS

Banana ( 0 Points Plus)

Sweet & Salty Popcorn (4 Points Plus)

DAILY STATS

26 Daily Points plus

2 Weekly Points Allowance Used (42 WPA remaining)

12 Activity Points Earned (60 minute Zumba class)

Sausage and Peppers over Polenta (9 Points Plus)

Sausage and Peppers over Polenta (9 Points Plus)

Serves 3

•3 Low fat Chicken or Turkey Sausages (4 PP each) – I bought Italian Turkey Sausages
•1/2 Onion, sliced
•1 Green Pepper, sliced
•1 Clove of Garlic
•Salt and Pepper to taste
•1/4 Cup Quick Cooking Polenta
•Pinch of Salt
•1/2 Cup Chicken Brother
•1/4 Cup Non Fat Milk

Saute the onions in a skillet with cooking spray for 3-5 mins. Then add the peppers and garlic and continue to saute for 6-8 mins until they become soft. If they begin to burn, add a little water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Remove the casing from the Sausage and slice into rings. Add to the peppers and onions and cook abou 5 mins for the flavours to combine and for the sausages to heat through. Set aside 1/3 for lunch later in the week.

Meanwhile in a small pot, combine the polenta, broth, milk and pinch of salt. Whisk together and bring to a simmer. Continue stirring for 5 mins. Season with Salt and Pepper.

Serve the Sausages and Peppers over the polenta.

Remember to set aside 1/3 of the Sausage & Peppers for lunch later in the week.

Fit Bit – Week 9

There is a pattern developing here – I never reach 5,000 steps on a Sunday.  So I am going to address that one!!!  We are at church and when I come home I basically spend the afternoon in the kitchen.  So this week I am promising myself to somehow or another get those 5,000 steps done!!!  Maybe Ineed to commit myself to do the treadmill on a Sunday morning.

WEEK’S MOST ACTIVE DAY – Tues, Feb 19

WEEK’S LEAST ACTIVE DAY – Sun, Feb 24

TOTAL STEPS – 54,287

DAILY AVERAGE – 7,755 steps

BEST DAY – 11,900 steps

TOTAL DISTANCE – 23.88 miles

DAILY AVERAGE -3.41 miles

BEST DAY – 5.25 miles

I earned 13 badges

4 days – 5000 Steps

2 days 10,000 Steps

7 days – 10 Floors climbed

I didn’t earn any 25 steps badges this week!!!!

		Total Steps	Daily Average	Total Distance	Daily Average
Week 1	24/12 – 30/12	28,817	4,117	12.66	1.81
Week 2	31/12 – 6/1	50,021	7,146	21.92	3.13
Week 3	6/1 – 13/1	51,681	7,383	23.58	3.37
Week 4	14/1-20/1	48,161	6,880	21.1	3.01
Week 5	21/1 – 27/1	43,947	6,278	19.25	2.75
Week 6	28/1 – 3/2	41,852	5,979	18.31	2.62
Week 7	4/2 – 10/2	50,200	7,171	22.58	3.23
Week 8	11/2 – 17/2	50,916	7,274	22.33	3.19
Week 9	18/2 – 24/2	54,287	7,755	23.88	3.41

Monday 25th

BREAKFAST

Greek  Yogurt,  Chocolate,  and  Blue Parfait (5 PP)

I layered this up in a glass and it looked yummy before I even started.  I used the Kirkland (Costco) 0% Greek Yoghurt (3/4 Cup = 2 Points Plus).  It is by far my favourite plain greek yoghurt it is very rich and creamy.  For the berries I used blackberries.  I think next time I will use blueberries, I think they have a little more flavour.  You can use any cereal as long as it has a value of 2 Points Plus.  I just measured out 2 Points worth of granola.  I divided up to make three layers.  It was delicious.

Greek Yoghurt, Chocolate and Blue Parfait (5 Points Plus)

Serves 1

• 3/4 Cup 0% Greek yogurt
• 1  cup berries
• 1/2 cup 2 point cereal
• 1  tsp Mini Chocolate Chips

LUNCH

Vegetable Frittata (3 PP)

Ham and Cheese Scone (5 PP)

Banana ( 0 PP)

My yoghurt parfait from this morning really satisfied me.  I am sure it is the protein content on the Greek Yoghurt that does it.  Whenever I have protein for my breakfast it always keeps me going for longer.

Lunch today was leftover Roasted Vegetable Frittata and a slice of Ham & Cheese Scone, so was extremely quick and easy to pack up and take to work today.  It tasted just as good today as it did on Saturday.  I didn’t take my plate to work, just used the same picture!!!!

DINNER

Sloppy Joe Pizza ( 5 PP)

Green Salad with 1 Tbsp Dressing (2 PP)

The actual recipe for this used pizza dough, but I wanted to use my Flatout Bread as a pizza base.  Much lower in points value.  The veggies I chose were some baby spinach, sliced red onion and grape tomatoes.  It was very tasty.  The Flatout Bread was great as a thin pizza base.  I really really enjoyed it.  It was pretty filling with a green salad as well.  It was really quick to pull together because it used the leftover Sloppy Joe mix from Saturday.  I really do like it when you can make something and then turn it into something else for another day.

Sloppy Joe Pizza ( 6 Points Plus)

Serves 2

• 2 Flatout Flatbreads
• 1/2 Cup leftover Tuscan Sloppy Joe
• 1/2 Cup Shredded Part Skim Mozzarella
• Selection of favourite veggies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake flatout bread for about 7 mins.

Remove from oven and spread sloppy joe mix thinly on each pizza,  Sprinkle with half the cheese.  Now add veggies of choice.  Sprinkle on the remaining cheese.

Bake in oven for about 7 mins until cheese is nice and bubbly.

EXTRAS

Apple (0 PP)

Mini Bag Brookside Dark Chocolate Pomegranate (2 Points Plus)

Celery Sticks ( 0 PP)

1/4 Cup Salsa Cheese Ball (2 Points Plus)

My daughter-in-law made this low calorie cheese ball and worked out the nutritional info on it.  You can find the recipe at  A Girl’s Journey from Fat to Fat Free Day 53, delicious spread up the middle of the celery sticks!!

DAILY STATS

24 Daily Points Plus

Earned 2 Activity Points

Slow Cooker Tuscan Sloppy Joes ( 4 Points Plus)

Slow Cooker Tuscan Sloppy Joes ( 4 Points Plus)

Serves 3

• 1/2 lb Lean Ground Turkey

• 1/2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning

• 1/4 Onion, chopped

• 2 Cloves Garlic, minced

• 1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped

• 3/4 Cup Crushed Italian Tomatoes

• Salt and Black Pepper to taste

In a medium non-stick skillet sprayed with cooking spray, brown the ground turkey for about 5 mins. Add the onion, garlic and green pepper. Cook for another 3 mins.

Add everything to the slow cooker. Then add the Italian seasoning, crushed tomatoes and salt and pepper.

Cook on low for 4 hours

Roasted Vegetable and Goat Cheese Frittata (3 Points Plus)

Roasted Vegetable and Goat Cheese Frittata (3 Points Plus)

Serves 3

•1 Small Onion, Chopped
•1 Bunch Asparagus
•1/2 Pt Cherry Tomatoes
•1 Small zucchini, sliced in coins
•1 Small Squash, sliced in coins
•3/4 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
•1 Egg
•3 Eggs Whites (I used Egg Beaters Egg Whites)
•2/3 Cup Non Fat Filk
•Salt and Pepper to taste
•2 Tbsp Goat Cheese

Preheat oven to 425 Degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the vegetables.

Spray the vegetables with cooking spray and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.

Roast for 20 mins or until veggies are soft and tomatoes begin to burst. When you take out the veggies, set aside 1/2 of the vegetables for later in the week.

Meanwhile in a bowl which together with egg, eggs whites, milk, salt and pepper.

Roughly chop the roasted veggies and add to an 8-9″ diameter pie plate or round dish. Pour egg mixture over the top. Crumble the goat cheese on top.

Bake for around 30 mins until eggs have puffed up and are cooked through.

Recipe from Slender Kitchen

Ham & Cheese Scones (5 Points Plus)

Ham and Cheese Scones (5 Points Plus)

Serves: 5

•1 Cup All Purpose Flour
•1/2 Tbsp Baking Powder
•1 tsp Sugar
•1/8 tsp Salt
•Pinch of Black Pepper
•1 1/2 Tbsp chilled butter, cut into small pieces
•1/3 Cup + 1 Tbsp Low Fat Mozzarella Cheese
•1/3 Cup + 1 Tbsp Lean Ham, chopped
•1/3 Cup + 1 Tbsp Fat Free Buttermilk (I used 1/3 Tbsp white vinegar and then added fat free milk to measure this amount – let it sit for about 10 mins to thick (you can use lemon juice instead of vinegar)
•1 Tbsp Chives ( I used the freeze dried Chives which are great to have in the cupboard)
•1 Large Egg White (I used Egg Beaters egg whites)

Preheat oven to 400 Degrees

Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and pepper in a large bowl.

Cut the butter into the dough using two knifes.

Gently stir in cheese, ham and chives.

Whisk together buttermilk and egg whites. Add to flour mixture and stir until just combined.

Take the dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Knead 4-5 times lightly with floured hands.

Form dough into a half circle (8″ diameter) and place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.

Carefully cut the dough into 5 wedges, not cutting all the way through the dough. (I personally forgot this step and cut into 5 portions after!!)

Bake at 400 Degrees for 20 mins until lightly browned.

Additional servings will be used with other meals later in the week.

Banana Protein Pancakes ( 5 Points Plus)

Banana Protein Pancakes ( 5 Points Plus)

Serves 2

•6 Egg Whites (I used Egg Beaters Egg Whites)
•1 Tbsp Reduced Fat Peanut Butter
•2 Ripe Bananas
•Pinch of Cinnamon

In a medium bowl, mash the banana and peanut butter completely

In another bowl, lightly whisk the egg whites

Add the egg whites to the banana and stir together

Warm a skillet over medium low heat

Spray with cooking spray and pour in 1/6th of the batter. Let cook on one side for about 4-5 mins until bubbly and edges lift up easily. Flip and cook on other side for 3-4 mins. Repeat to make 6 pancakes.

One serving of 3 pancakes is for today. The other serving is for breakfast later in the week. To reheat either pop in the microwave or place back in the skillet to warm up.

Recipe by Slender Kitchen