Dinner for Wednesday and Thursday and Cafe Rio Salad

OOPS I forgot to post what I made for dinner on Wednesday....

I wanted to make something easy tonight..... I was tired of cooking so we made Nachos...

I used corn Tortillas 2 small corn Tortillas are 3 points for 16 chips, I cut them into triangles and baked them in the oven for about 15 min.

I cooked 3/4 lbs of 85 % Lean hamburger (if you use 85% hamburger, drain it and then rinse it it just the same as 93%) That is what I have been told.... 1/2 CUP 3 points.

opened a can of blackbeans 1/2 cup for 2 points, cut up tomatoes (FREE POINTS), Lettuce (FREE POINTS) Salsa (FREE POINTS) Sour cream, 2 TBSP for 2 points, I did add 1/3 cup of cheese on my chips and put it in the microwave and melted my cheese

Total for my Nachos are: 10 points and they were so YUMMMMMMY!!!!!

Thursday Dinner:

I made homemade hamburgers but instead of using Buns I used ice berg lettuce and had a lettuce wrap hamburger 3 points for hamburger Pattie, tomatoes, onions pickles, mustard and Ketchup..... (ALL FREE POINTS)

Edemamine (?) 1/2 cup 2 points, and an apple salad with Vanilla Yogurt 1 CUP 1 point.... and it was so good...

I made pretty easy meals but they were so good.....

I HAVE A BIG CONFESSION.... CAFE RIO SALAD

I had Cafe Rio Salad today for lunch... It was ok, it did not taste as good as the past, but here is a run down on the cafe rio salad

14" White Tortilla 11points
Tortilla Strips 04 points
Rice 03 points
Grilled chicken 03 Points
Pinto Beans 03 Points
Guacamole 01 points
1.5 oz Dressing 03 Points

Total 28 points BUT if you don't have the Tortilla or the Tortilla Strips you can save 15 points and make a great salad 13 POINTS...... (JUST A LITTLE SECRET!!!!!!)

Penne with Chicken, Artichokes, and Peppers

Today has been a strange day, I am in a FUNK!!! you would thing by now it would be easy but NOPE it is not...... I have eaten as good as I should but I have eaten things that are small points or no points at all..... But have been good on my fruits or veggies or even my Water..... I have to snap out of it and snap out of it QUICK!!!!!!!

I made this for dinner tonight.............. YUMMMMMMMMMY
Penne with Chicken, Artichokes, and Peppers

Ingredients

2 Tbsp olive oil, extra-virgin

3/4 pound(s) uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, halves, cut into 1-inch chunks
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1 medium onion(s), sliced
3 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced
14 oz canned artichoke hearts, without oil, drained, patted dry, and quartered
12 oz roasted red peppers, jarred, drained, patted dry, and cut into strips
1/3 cup(s) white wine ( I Used Apple Juice)
1 cup(s) reduced-sodium chicken broth
6 cup(s) cooked penne
1/4 cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese, Romano variety
1/4 cup(s) parsley, fresh, chopped

Instructions
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sprinkle with 1⁄4 teaspoon of the salt and 1⁄8 teaspoon of the pepper. Cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned and just cooked through, 3–4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften, about 2 minutes. Stir in the artichoke hearts and roasted peppers. Cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the wine and cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 1 minute. Stir in the broth and bring to a simmer.
Add the pasta to the skillet and cook, tossing occasionally, until heated through and the liquid thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Add the chicken and the remaining 1⁄4 teaspoon salt and 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper. Cook until the chicken is heated through, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat, then stir in the cheese and parsley. Yields 1 1/2 cups per serving.

This is a 10 point Meal...... AND It is worth all 10 points YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMY!

Yea for me!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so happy today I weighed in at Weight Watchers and I lost 4.4 pounds. I am so excited. I can't believe my eyes, I can't wait to see what this next week brings for me. Eric lost another 5 lbs this week, he is down 14.5 pounds. I am so proud of him...

I am a slacker today. I have been down to my mom's house all day today, helping her clean, playing with my new baby nephew, sewing some burp rags. I did not want to come home..... For dinner we are having left overs from yesterday. I made Beef with Broccoli and Veggies for my family that have never tried it. It was a HIT I think!!!!!!

So tonight guess what we are having?????? YES LEFT OVER Beef with Broccoli AGAIN... but my kids LOVE LOVE LOVE it.....

I learned something big time yesterday.... My amazing mother lets all her grandchildren get away with murder... She cooks anything for each one of them when they don't like what we are cooking for her. So she made Mac and Cheese. It was the Western Family Mac and Cheese, for "1 CUP" of Western Family Mac and Cheese or Kraft (SAME THING) it is 9 POINTS, yes I said 9 points. I thought no big deal I just eat a little and then figure out the points.... BIG BIG BIG mistake 9 points, thank goodness I had the points and did not blow it with Mac and Cheese. I learned a big lesson......

I am so thankful I have the strength to get my butt in gear and get this weight off...... I only hope I can continue with this....

What a great day

It has been a great day, my sister and her family from Utah came up and is staying at my parents house this weekend so we went down and spent the night down there and then came home for Church (cause I have to teach the Relief Society Lesson tomorrow). The girls went sledding with their cousins, they had a blast.....

I have to say it was hard being in a different environment where no one is really dieting , they eat what they want, as I am looking at others eat big bowls of Soup, Ice Cream, Cheese on their taco salad, OH CHEESE how I miss you..... Eating what ever they want and not even thinking about it, I have to think and weigh out EVERYTHING I am eating, I feel like all I do is checking points, weighing out all my food. BUT the one thing I can say is I DID IT.... I stuck to Weight Watchers, I stuck with my points, I did not go over my points, I DID IT!!!! I am so proud of my self, I felt like I have been jumped one big hurdle. I now know how it feels to have an addiction, I had a food addiction and when I say that I mean I never paid attention to what I ate or how much I ate. I am so amazed if you watch what you eat and pay attention to portion control how MUCH Better you feel.... I feel like I am cloud nine right now.

I forgot to post the YUMMMMMMMMY recipes that I have made this week.....

MONDAY

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos
1/3 C (3 oz) FAT FREE Cream Cheese

1/4 C green salsa
1T fresh lime juice
1/2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t granulated garlic, or garlic powder
3 T chopped cilantro
2 T sliced green onions
2 C shredded cooked chicken (for extra yumminess, use grilled taco chicken!)
small corn tortillas (and actually, flour ones are really good as well)
kosher salt
cooking spray

Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds so it's soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well.

You can prepare up to this step ahead of time. Just keep the mixture in the fridge.

Work with a few tortillas at a time and heat in the microwave until they are soft enough to roll without cracking. It helps to place them between damp paper towels. Usually 20-30 seconds will do it. If you find yours are cracking when you roll them or are coming unrolled right away, just try heating them longer and try the paper towel thing.

Place 2-3 T of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges.

Place seam side down on the baking sheet. Lay all of the taquitos on the baking sheet and make sure they are not

touching each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray or an oil mister and sprinkle some kosher salt on top.

Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown.

2 Points for each Taquitos if you use FLOUR tortillas it is 3 Points each

TUESDAY

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

2 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch, divided

1/4 tsp table salt 3/4 pound(s) lean sirloin beef, trimmed, thinly sliced against the grain 2 tsp canola oil 1 cup(s) reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided 5 cup(s) broccoli, florets (about a 12 oz bag) 1 Tbsp ginger root, fresh, minced 2 tsp minced garlic 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste 1/4 cup(s) low-sodium soy sauce 1/2 cup(s) water Instructions On a plate, combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch and salt; add beef and toss to coat. Heat oil in a large nonstick wok or large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and stir-fry until lightly browned, about 4 minutes; transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Add 1/2 cup broth to same pan; stir to loosen any bits on food on bottom of pan. Add broccoli; cover and cook, tossing occasionally and sprinkling with a tablespoon water if needed, until broccoli is almost crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Uncover pan and add ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes; stir-fry until fragrant, about 1 minute. In a cup, stir together soy sauce, remaining 1/2 cup broth, remaining 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch and water until blended; stir into pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and bring to a simmer; simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Return beef and accumulated juices to pan; toss to coat. Serve. Yields about 1 1/4 cups per serving. 5 Points per serving (this does not include rice) I did not use rice, I cut up some celery and used that instead and YUMMMMMMMYYYYY!!!!! I also made some edamame they are 2 points for 1/2 Cup..... WEDNESDAY Balsamic Chicken with Mushrooms 2 tsp vegetable oil 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 2 tsp Dijon mustard 1 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), crushed 1 pound(s) uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, four 4-oz pieces 2 cup(s) mushroom(s), small, halved 1/3 cup(s) canned chicken broth 1/4 tsp dried thyme, crumbled Instructions In a nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of oil. In a medium bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar, the mustard and garlic. Add chicken and turn to coat. Transfer chicken and marinade to skillet. Sauté chicken until cooked through, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer chicken to a platter and keep warm. Heat remaining teaspoon of oil in skillet. Sauté mushrooms for 1 minute. Add broth, thyme and remaining tablespoon of vinegar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are deep brown, about 2 minutes longer. Serve chicken topped with mushrooms. I made a green salad, and asparagus and it made the meal so YUMMY!!!!!! 4 Points per serving Thursday Shrimp Scampi with Spaghetti 2 tsp olive oil 6 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced 1 tsp dried oregano 1 pound(s) shrimp, medium, peeled and deveined 1/4 cup(s) wine, dry white or vermouth ( I used apple juice and Chicken broth instead) 2 tsp cornstarch 3/4 cup(s) reduced-sodium chicken broth 3/4 tsp table salt, or to taste 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste 8 oz uncooked linguini, cooked and kept hot 1/4 cup(s) parsley, fresh, chopped Instructions Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add oregano and stir to coat. Add shrimp and sauté until bright pink, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes. Add wine and simmer about 1 minute. Dissolve cornstarch in chicken broth in a small cup and whisk until blended; add mixture to skillet and simmer 2 minutes, until sauce thickens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer cooked linguini to four individual shallow bowls and spoon shrimp and sauce over top; sprinkle with parsley and basil. Yields about 1 1/3 cups of pasta, 1/4 cup of sauce and 3 ounces of shrimp per serving.+ 10 Points for each serving (but if you don't use the wine for cooking then you can take off 2 points) it can be 8 points per serving.... I also made a salad (AGAIN) Cooked Spinach, Green beans, and a Fruit salad. Friday Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup I figured this was 3 points for cup of Chicken noodle soup and 2 points each roll... Saturday Taco Salad 2 Tbsp basil, fresh, thinly sliced I had 3/4 cup of lean hamburger, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Kidney Beans, 1 TBSP. Low fat Sour Cream, and Salsa 5 Points total for my taco salad So far everything I have made this week has been so good, I have not once felt like I was dieting, never felt deprived, Let me know how you like the recipes.

Where have we been???

I can't believe it has been over a year since I posted last, I have decided I am the worst blogger in the world. But I am BACK!!! I have thought long and hard about deleting my blog, but I know how much I love looking at all my friends and family blogs so I decided I am going to keep up my blog.

I have also decided to start keeping track of my Weight Watchers Journey on this, This will be good for me because I am going to be accountable to all you.... I am so ashamed that I have gotten to this point with my weight, BUT I am sticking to it now. In June I started DUB Nutation, IT IS AMAZING !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Changed my Diet, Started working out and to my surprise I lost 28 1/2 pounds a LOTS of inches (can't remember the number) in 3 Months.... Then we moved to Idaho and financially I could not afford to keep doing DUB, so I thought I would just be careful with my eating, WELL that did not go so well, I gained 12 lbs in 3 months.... I finally hit ROCK BOTTOM again and THIS TIME going to STICK TO IT.... Last Monday, I joined weight watchers... I am doing Weight Watcher with Eric, my Father in law and my mother in law so it has been fun doing this with someone...

I am going to start posting my daily food tracker and what we make every night for dinner, This will be fun to track it all....

Follow along this great Journey with me.....

Our Sweet Little Lacey

The Drive to the Rock where we took pictures of Lacey the day before she died.

Kamree saying her last good-byes

The girls at Lacey Funeral

Eric was so proud he taught her how to shake and beg for treats....

Kamree reading her note she wrote to Lacey at her funeral

This is the note she wrote to Lacey

Our Sweet little lacey went back to heaven (YES I KNOW IT'S JUST A DOG) but she was part of our family... I did not relize how much I loved that little dog until she was gone... I still hear things at night thinking it is Lacey, I think oh I have got to run home and let the dog out. It's amazing how much your life revolves around a dog. Lacey girl we love you and miss you so much!!! I would give anything and I mean anything to have you back, you were the best dog ever, the best friend, the best night partner when Eric was not home... I love you and will forever be thankful you were part of our lives. I love you and miss you so much! I hope you are having fun in Heaven. Mommy loves you and misses you so much!

Strahlee Field Trip at the Fire Station

Learning to STOP DROP AND ROLL!!!

Strahlee had her first Field Trip this year.. We had the great opportunity to go to the fire station and learn about what Fire Men do for us... Strahlee was so excited, when we left she said "Mom, I want to be a fire women now" she cracks me up she wants to be everything.. She keeps changing her mind.... She had a great time...