Break the Cycle

So many projects I want to start - so little time. I have this wonderful black batik quilt swap I need to do, plus a flying geese anniversary project swap for an online group. I also signed up for a BOM batik, and have to finish 2 other BOM's that end soon. Oh, and the nice lady that weighs me in each Saturday is having her first grandbaby - her daughter has picked out a pattern - so I just need to show her some fabric samples, then work up a new baby quilt. So much to do, so little time. I have found that by planning menu's - I've been doing much better. Even if I don't stick to my menu 100% - I'm much better off. Yesterday I made the stuffed shells - it was from Cooking Healthy magazine - it was just OK. I like my stuffed shells better - and mine have less points. The kids agree with me. Now, dh and I both loved the pineapple walnut cake - the kids didn't. Tomorrow I'll try the oatmeal brownies with them - if it passes - I'll post the recipe. ...

After another successful weigh in - I know I'm on the right track - planning and journaling. On a good note - a long time WW'er who first helped me get started is back. He originally had lost over 100 lbs - and kept it off for 5+ years. The biggest accomplishment - he did this at WW alone - and was only about 15 when he started. Anyway, he did put on the freshman 15 his first year away at school - but I think that's great (ok, ok, it was really 20, but still). He's back and determined to lose that 20 - and we'll all help him!! This Weeks Menu Saturday - We ended up eating breakfast for dinner - we had fool mudamas (Egyptian Beans) and bread and baked falafel - recipes will follow later. Sunday - Today dd#2 made pancakes for breakfast Lunch is fruit Dinner will be Medeterrain Pockets as aps, then Turkey Burgers and Corn on the Cob and salads for dinner. Dessert will be Pineapple Nut Cake - recipe to follow Monday - Breakfast - bagels Lunch - soup or sandwiches D...

Pineapple Chicken with Spaghetti Light & Tasty From Canton, Ohio, Cheryl Harris shared the recipe for this stir-fry that's full of crisp-tender veggies. Chunks of pineapple add a colorful burst of fruity goodness to every forkful. SERVINGS: 6 CATEGORY: Lower Fat METHOD: Stir-Fry TIME: Prep: 10 min. Cook: 25 min. Ingredients: 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti, broken in half 1 can (20 ounces) unsweetened pineapple chunks 1 large green pepper, julienned 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced 3 green onions, chopped 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips 1 garlic clove, minced 4 teaspoons cornstarch 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce Directions: Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain. Drain pineapple, reserving juice; set aside. In a large nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry green pepper, carrots, onions and ginger in oil for 3 minutes. Add chicken and garlic; stir-f...

Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Taste of Home This juicy shredded beef is so popular at summer gatherings. The tender meat is slow-cooked in a savory sauce that includes tomato paste, brown sugar, molasses and chili powder. It makes a big batch...enough for seconds! -Colleen Nelson, Mandan, North Dakota SERVINGS: 8-10 CATEGORY: Main Dish METHOD: Slow Cooker TIME: Prep: 15 min. Cook: 8 hours Ingredients: 1 boneless beef sirloin tip roast (about 3 pounds), cut into large chunks 3 celery ribs, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 1 medium green pepper, chopped 1 cup ketchup 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup cider vinegar 3 tablespoon chili powder 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons molasses 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon ground mustard 8 to 10 sandwich rolls, split Directions: Place beef in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add the celery, onion and green pepper. In a bowl, combine the ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar, chili powder, lemon...

It doesn't take a seasoned cook to turn out this scrumptious entree. Served with your favorite salad, it makes a wonderful summer supper. Try it with limeade or orange juice in place of lemonade. My family raves about every refreshing version. SERVINGS: 6 CATEGORY: Main Dish METHOD: Grill (gas or charcoal) TIME: Prep: 15 min. + marinating Grill: 20 min. Ingredients: 1 can (12 ounces) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon garlic powder 3/4 teaspoon minced fresh mint or 1/4 teaspoon dried mint 4 pounds bone-in chicken breast halves (8 ounces each) Directions: In a large resealable bag, combine the first five ingredients. Remove half of the marinade to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate. Add chicken to the bag; seal and turn to coat. Refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally. Drain and discard marinade. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 10 minutes on each side, basting occasionally with reserved marinade. Grill 5-10 ...

Wonderful blog with tons of veggie recipes - just in time for summer http://kitchen-parade-veggieventure.blogspot.com/ And from that site I found a few more - Like Garlicky (and very easy!) roasted aubergine dip and if you like that one - she has dozens more http://cooksister.typepad.com/cook_sister/2007/01/cooksister_the_.html I cook lamb often - so I'll be making this one SLOW-ROAST LAMB Ingredients a leg of lamb (about 2.3 kg) 1 large onion, roughly chopped a few sprigs of fresh roesmary 2 cloves of garlic 1 Tbs sea salt flakes a pinch of sweet paprika 1 Tbs cumin seeds 2 Tbs thyme leaves 2 Tbs olive oil a thick slice of butter Method Pre-heat the oven to 160C and start making the spice rub. Peel the garlic cloves and lightly crush them together with the salt using a pestle and mortar. Add the paprika, cumin seeds and thyme leaves. Gradually add the oil so as to end up with a thickish paste. Melt the butter in a small pan and stir into the spce paste. Put the lamb in a casser...

Had this last night - chicken was awesome - 6 pts Chipotle chile adds a subtle smoky heat to the dressing. Use more for a spicier dish or less to make it mild. Ingredients Chicken: 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 garlic cloves, minced 4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves Cooking spray Dressing: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon extravirgin olive oil 1 teaspoon finely chopped chipotle chile, canned in adobo sauce 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin Salad: 8 cups mixed salad greens 1 cup thinly sliced peeled cucumber 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion 2 plum tomatoes, quartered Preparation 1. To prepare chicken, combine the first 5 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add the chicken to the bag; seal. Marinate in refrigerator 1 hour, turning the bag occasionally. 2. Prepare grill. 3. Remove chicken from b...

Lost 3 lbs this week - so I need to keep on track, and make all WW friendly foods. Today what's cooking - oven's on - so I'll be making blueberry muffins, potato casserol (while the ovens on) and these chocolate chip muffins. I'll post a review later. Low-Fat Chocolate Chip Muffins desserts POINTS® Value: 3 Servings: 12 Preparation Time: 20 min Cooking Time: 23 min Level of Difficulty: Moderate Share these sweet, rich muffins with a special friend. They're perfect for breakfast or dessert. Ingredients 1 sprays cooking spray 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp table salt 1 large egg(s) 1 large egg white(s) 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 2 Tbsp packed light brown sugar 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce 3 tsp canola oil 1 tsp vanilla extract 6 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips Instructions Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 12-hole muffin tin with cooking spray. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. Separate egg, pla...

I'm not real big on Turkey burgers - I like beef. BUT - gave these a try last night - and they were AWESOME. The kids loved them - especially when I cut the first one in half for my 5yo (they are really nice size burgers) and the cheese oozed out from the inside. My 5yo ate and entire burger, and then 1/2 of another. And he's usually not a big eater. Yes, they were outside playing in the pool most of the day - but still I tripled this recipe and made 12 nice size burgers 8 ounces ground turkey breast 99% lean 1 cup shredded zucchini 2/3 cup panko 1/3 cup finely chopped onion 3 TBS taco or enchilada sauce 1 egg white 1.5 tsp ground cumin 1/4 tsp salt 4 TBS Monterey Jack Cheese 4 hamburger buns Heat grill. Combine turkey, zucchini, panko, onion, 1 TBS of taco sauce, egg white, cumin and salt in large bowl. Divide into 8 balls. Flatten 4 balls into patties (about 3.5 inches around and 1/4 inch thick) Place 1 TBS chhese in the center of each patty. Shape remaining turkey m...

Ingredients 1.5 C Flour 3/4 C Splenda 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 2/3 C plain non-fat yogurt 2/3 C water 3/4 C Blueberries (can sub. other fruit) Directions Combine and mix dry ingredients. Then add water and yogurt, mix then add berries and stir carefully. Fill greased muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 400 F. for 18 minutes. Number of Servings: 12

Made some blueberry muffins - I love blueberries !! I still had some frozen from last spring, so figured I'd use those up so I can make room for more. Found a wonderful recipe online - only 1 pt BLUEBERRY MUFFINS 1 WW Point. Then made some low fat pumpkin brownies for the girls - dd's softball team lost last night (yeah) but the opposing teams' coaches came over to tell all the girls how much they have improved since the first played us. Since they trounced us the first time we played, and since this time we kept it pretty close - He was telling the truth !! Got my old WW cookbooks out - will make up some recipes/menu's for the coming week. Jerzy

DD's team won their first play off game !! Whaooooohoooooo On another note - Dell's 10 days of deals starts again tonight !! CS Jerzy