Portabella Mushroom Pizza

I am not going to be real specific here......because I think it's pretty simple.

Clean and prep some Portabella Mushroom Caps.
Bake for 5 minutes on a baking sheet at 375.
Then top with Your favorite pizza sauce and toppings of your choice.

Chicken sausages and Lite Mozzarella.
Taco Meat and Light Shredded Cheddar.
Bacon and Tomato and Cheddar.
Turkey Sausage and Monterey Jack.
Turkey Pepperoni and onion.
Breakfast sausage, cheese and scrambled eggs.

These are going to be low in points no matter what.

Bake with toppings at 375 for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.

These have Chicken sausages and Lite Mozzarella.
3 PPV for one, or 6 PPV for the two I ate here.




"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Power Foods....Are you familiar with them?

Did you know that.......

.......a light multi grain English Muffin counts as a Weight Watchers power food?
Yip, It do.

and............it has.....
5 grams of protein and........
8 grams of fiber, and.......

It is 3 PPV.





Just a reminder. WW power foods are fruits and veggies, nonfat dairy, lean proteins and whole grains. These foods help you to feel fuller longer.

"Power foods are determined by both their ability to be filling (provide eating satisfaction, which keeps you fuller longer) and their impact on health (how their sugar, sodium, saturated fat, total fat, and/or fiber content stack up against that of similar foods)." Weight Watchers

If you fill your daily menu with Power Foods, you are certain to have success!

Protein is key for me in feeling fuller longer. I have been asked why I always eat egg whites.

One Egg has 6 grams of Protein and is 2 WW PPV.

Four Egg Whites have 16 grams of Protein and is only 1 WW PPV.

So.......because I eat eggs often, and I would like to keep my cholesterol at a healthy number, I choose egg whites most often.

I do, on occasion, enjoy a whole egg, and I do love the taste of the yolk.

Here is breakfast......

4 scrambled egg whites
1 slice Kraft 2% Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese (torn into pieces)




Cover for just a sec.........




The best creamy and cheesy eggs ever!
And only 2 PPV!




I ate late.....around 9:30, and I knew I wouldn't be able to eat again until about 3:00, so I loaded up!

Toasted English Muffin with Pumpkin Butter (4 PPV)
Eggs and Cheese (2 PPV)
Pineapple and Banana (0 PPV)




Tons of food for 6 PPV!




I am working at the Food Truck, Beauty of the Bistro, on Wednesdays, and The Boom Boom Tacos are one of my favorites!

I brought them home today for lunch, then I disected them to see just how many PPV I thought they might be?

They are pulled pork, with slaw, salsa and a buttermilk yummy goodness on top. I may be over guessing a bit, but I am calling each taco 8 PPV.



I decided to not eat the tortillas, and dumped the best part into a bowl!
10 PPV




No regrets!





I don't know what happened for dinner, but I wasn't hungry. It was weird.

I shared some Green Giant veggies with Mike.
2 PPV





Then I thought I would try some Pineapple and cottage cheese........never had it together......won't have it again. I didn't hate it, I think I just prefer my cottage cheese with tomatoes and cucumber mixed in, rather than fruit.

2PPV





I made the Pumpkin Poppers again. This time I tried really hard to take them from 3 PPV to 2 PPV.

I got them to 1 PPV!

This is the original recipe with my modifications in parentheses.


1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/3 cup vegetable oil. (I used 1/3 C lite applesauce)
1/2 cup brown sugar (I used 1/4 C Splenda Brown Sugar)
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup pumpkin
1/2 cup milk

For Coating
1 stick unsalted butter, melted (I used 2 Tablespoons)
2/3 cup sugar (I used 1/4 Cup of sugar)
2 tbsp. cinnamon (I reduced this to taste since I used less sugar)

Preheat oven to 350 F and spray mini muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and spices in a bowl and whisk until combine.

In another bowl, mix oil, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, pumpkin, and milk. Pour in flour mixture and mix until just combined. Fill mini muffin tins until almost full and bake 10-12 minutes.

(I do not follow the instructions below. I barely dipped the top in melted butter, then lightly dip it in the cinnamon/sugar.)

Melt butter in small bowl. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a separate small bowl. After popper cool for a few minutes, dip them in the butter and roll them in the sugar mixture. Enjoy. :)

1 Pumpkin Popper = 1 PPV!

Combine Dry Ingredients....




Combine wet ingredients.....




Mix together!




The original recipe....I think.....calls for 24 mini muffins, but I stretched it into 30 mini muffins.





Let them cool and dip away........but just a tiny dip!




Aren't they cute?




I actually melted 3 Tablespoons of butter, but poured out what was left over into a Tablespoon, and there was extra!




I think they taste great!




Perfect Fall Treat!




I had to freeze some so I don't eat them all............





Refresh...I can eat 26 points a day.
I can earn Activity Points by doing exercise.
I have an allowance of 49 points that I can dip into if I chose.
I should drink a minimum of 6 (8 oz) glasses of water each day.

The food I ate today and it's PPV.

Breakfast = 6
Lunch = 10
Snack....(poppers) = 4
Dinner = 4

Total = 24

Activity Points Earned Today = 0
Remaining points from my 49 Points Allowance = 26
How many glasses of water I drank today = 12





"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Trader Joe's Shopping Day!

I have several items listed in the post. Everything from 1 PPV to 5 PPV. I hope you find something new that you LOVE!


Cookie Butter
Dangerous and Delicious!
1 T. = 2 PPV
Eat on toast, waffles, pancakes, apples, pears, or tortilla!
Eating right out of the jar, NOT RECOMMENDED!






Sprouted Wheat Bread
1 slice = 1 PPV
This bread is super dense and full of flavor. Love it! Makes the best toast and egg white sandwiches!






Chicken Meatballs
4 Meatballs = 4 PPV
Sure, you can eat these with pasta and sauce, but how about chopped up in you salad? Or on a low calorie wheat bun and make your own Grinder?








Banana.....Flattened
Ingredients: Bananas
0 PPV
I think you just eat them out of the bag? They have a chewy texture much like a raisin. I love bananas and was super curious when I saw them on the shelf.








GoLean Crunch
1 C = 5 PPV
This is not a Trader Joes only product, but I did buy it there, and I buy it all the time. I don't buy cold cereal anymore. It's one of those foods I had to give up. But I use this in an way I would use Granola. It's high in fiber and high in protein! I like to eat it dry in a baggies for a snack, on top of smoothies for a little crunch, or on apple slices with peanut butter.







Cliff Kid Z Bar
Honey Graham = 3 PPV
Chocolate Brownie = 4 PPV
Iced Oatmeal = 4 PPV
You just EAT em!








Luna Bar
1 bar = 5 PPV
Eat em up!








White Corn Tortillas
1 tortilla = 1 PPV
I prefer these over flour tortillas when eating tacos.








Lite Mozzarella Cheese
1 oz = 1 PPV
It was awesome on the pizza and I only had to use 4 oz. for the entire pizza.







Unsweetened Vanilla Milk
1 C = 1 PPV
It is a great milk alternative.
I like to cook my oatmeal in it for a little extra flavor and creaminess.







Honey
1 T = 2 PPV
Honey is great on a lot more things than just a biscuit!
Waffles, toast, PB sandwich, in your tea or oatmeal!







Better n Peanut Butter
1 T. = 1 PPV
I love this stuff and it has come my complete Peanut Butter replacement.
This is the Low Sodium, and I love that I have that option!








Steel Cut Oats
1 C = 4 PPV
Not Trader Joe's brand, but it's where I buy this.
Check out this recipe for Crockpot Oatmeal.







Those are just a few of my favorites! I would love to know some of your favorite Trader Joe's finds!

"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Turkey Sausage

The serving size is 3 sausages. 3 of these are 3 PPV.

1 Sausage = 1 PPV
I like to make one and cut it up and toss it in my scrambled egg whites. I'm just looking for a little kick to breakfast when I eat these.

I also like to heat up one in the microwave, slice it into three slices, and put it on an egg white sandwich. I get lots of sausage flavor, a taste in every bite, and only 1 PPV.

Occasionally on a Sunday morning, I will cook two small new potatoes in the microwave. Then I dice them up and cook them in a skillet with a little cooking spray and some chopped onion. After thats all brown and crispy, I add two or three chopped up Turkey Sausages, and six egg whites. After it is all cooked, I top with a little shredded cheese, remove from the heat, and put a lid on the top for a minute or so to melt the cheese. This makes an awesome Sunday Breakfast for Mike and I. I always put some fruit on the side. This makes a huge breakfast for 5 to 7 PPV, depending on how many sausages you use, and your cheese and potatoes.



"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Weight Watcher's Nonfat Vanilla Yogurt

I use this as fruit dip ALL the time. I like to add a dash of cinnamon and eat with apple slices.

It's light and refreshing and sweet! Taste more like pudding than yogurt to me!

A serving size on the package is 1 Cup for 3 PPV.

1/3 Cup = 1 PPV.

1/3 Cup is plenty for a snack with some fresh fruit.






"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Betsy's Zucchini Soup

A friend of mine, Betsy, gave me this recipe some time ago. I have made it many times. I added a little variety today, and I LOVE it!





Zucchini Soup (with chicken added)

(not part of the original recipe,1 rotisserie chicken, bite size pieces)

1/2 C chopped onion
1-2 cloves garlic, diced
Cooking spray (you might want a little olive oil)
3 zucchini, slice 1/4" slices
4 C FF Chicken broth
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 C frozen corn
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp black pepper

Cook onion and garlic in cooking spray (you may want to add a little olive oil), add all other ingredients and simmer. Serve over baked chips and top with shredded mont jack cheese!





With the chicken added, this made about 10 cups. 1 cup = 3 PPV.

Add extra points for the chips and cheese!

I added the chicken today, and only had 1 zucchini. Perfect!

"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Blueberry Cobbler

This is an old recipe that I have hung onto. I am not a big pie or cobbler person. I prefer cakes and brownies and breads, but this is a keeper! Probably because of the cobbler part! I wish I could give credit to the original creator of the recipe, but I haven't a clue. For some odd reason, I remember her name was Sue! Thanks Sue!

I am going to my brothers today to celebrate his birthday and offered to bring dessert. The menu for dinner is fried chicken, mashed potatoes, rolls, and all that jazz. I don't really care for fried chicken, and can pass on the other stuff as well, but don't want to make a scene. I think I'll take a veggie platter and eat small bites of the "other" food.

I will be eating this though!

Here's the recipe! Nothing about this taste "light", and it is super easy to make! Promise!

Blueberry Cobbler

4 C fresh blueberries
1 tsp lemon juice
Cooking spray
1 C flour
1/2 C sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Dash of salt
1 T veg oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 lg egg whites, lightly beaten
3 T sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Combine blueberries and lemon juice in a 9 inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. (I used a larger dish so I could spread it out a bit and just have smaller portions. The recipe as is, is a very nice large portion.) Combine flour and the next 4 ingredients in a lg. bowl. Make a well in the center. In a separate bowl, slight beat egg whites, then add oil and vanilla and whisk. Add to flour mixture.






Stir until completely mixed.




Form 8 dumplings and place on top of blueberries. (I made 16 small dumplings instead of 8 large ones. This allows me to cut the points down if I eat 1/2 of an original serving).




Combine 3 T of sugar with 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon and sprinkle over the top. (I think this is what does it for me!)





Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

I JUST took this out of the oven and I have no idea how I am going to wait ALL day to eat it! The house smells so good!




The original recipe is for 8 servings, and 5 PPV.

I will cut it in half, but call it 3 PPV!

Happy Sunday!

“You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients.”
― Julia Child



"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Protein in the Morning!

When I know I have a busy day ahead, I like to get in as much protein for as few points as possible. I found this Jimmy Dean Turkey sausage and thought I'd give it a try. It's pretty tasty! The serving size says 2/3 C., but I thought 1/3 C. was plenty, and I didn't want too much sodium. 1/3 C. of the sausage was 280 mg of sodium and 1 PPV. I scrambled 4 egg whites (1 PPV), and added 1 laughing cow cheese wedge (also 1 PPV)after everything was cooked, and it gave my yummy breakfast a nice creamy finish!

I like a grapefruit every once in awhile, but they can be such a booger to eat!

This was a great and filling breakfast for only 3 PPV!

3 PPV Breakfast

This was a super breakfast of 4 scrambled egg whites on light Italian Bread, toasted and topped with a little salsa. 1 cup of fresh blueberries mixed with 1/3 C of Fat Free Weight Watchers Vanilla Yogurt! Filling and delicious!